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__ **Pathfinder** __ ** Resources on Recycling **

Recycling is an important part of our economic lives and global sovereignty. It is becoming part of our educational system and incorporated into our way of life. This pathfinder was created for individuals who are eager to understand the ways of recycling. The significance of the sources listed here include statistics on recycling, how to recycle, crafts, games, etc. This pathfinder is intended for teachers in order to better aid students. In order for teachers to effectively teach students it is necessary they understand the material in depth. This pathfinder can be used in a public library and school library. For your navigating convenience, sections have been created to better serve you. Some of these resources have been placed in more than one section.


 * Home ** - A list of all 30 resources that are available in this pathfinder are organized by government and non-government resources.
 * Games ** - This includes games that help students better understand the benefits and recycling...and how fun it can be!
 * Quizzes ** - This includes quizzes that can be used in the classroom to measure students' knowledge pre-unit or post-unit.
 * Videos ** - This section includes videos for teachers and students.

__Government Resources__ 1) **[|Plastic Resin Characteristics]** [] This on-line source, provided by the U.S. National Wild Life Service, presents a chart of plastic resin characteristics. The information includes resin name, characteristics, primary product markets and market examples. Teachers will be interested to teach their students the different types of plastic and their uses.

2) ** [|Recycling Quiz] ** [] This on-line link is a great quiz for students and teachers alike. It tests one's knowledge of recycling. Who can recycle? How many plastic bottles do Americans go through every year? This is an effective way to measure students' knowledge. This quiz is printable and includes the key.

3) **[|Solid Waste Facts and Figures for 2007]** [] This provides information about the production and recycling efforts of plastic compared to other recyclable products. Charts and graphs are provided in this on-line resource. This helps students visualize the effect recycling has on the environment.

4) **[|Recovering Usable Plastics From Mixed Waste]** "Plastics are gradually replacing metals as the main component in America's products. More plastic and less metal will mean more waste as these products become obsolete unless plastics are recycled as completely as metals are now." This on-line source, from the Argonne National Laboratory, focuses on how plastic can be separated from mixed plastic waste. It is important to teach students that the products we use are often made from several types of materials. This source reveals the process of separating plastic from mixed products.
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5) **[|At-Store Recycling Program]** California has an excellent recycling program. The on-line site, California Waste Management Board, provides information on at-store recycling programs. This source also reveals information such as definitions, annual reports, store requirements, etc. It is important for students to know what is happening in other states and learn from mistakes or successes. This could also be a great classroom project if your current state does not have an established recycling program. Students can create new recycling programs for your state and/or encourage the state government to adopt these programs.
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6) **[|Information on Plastic]** This on-line source is associated with the Washington State Department of Ecology. It provides information on plastic such as the code, type, name, description, and some examples. This a color-coded, kid friendly chart.
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7) **[|Recycling Facts and Trivia]** This on-line resource provides facts, trivia and myths about recycling. It provides information on all types of recyclable materials including plastic. There is also miscellaneous information provided that is useful.
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8) **[|Three Ways to Eliminate Waste]** The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has created an on-line page for kids with a recycling guide. It provides three great ways students can "eliminate waste and protect the environment." A list is provided of things that can always be recycled.
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9) **[|Environmental Kids Club]** [] How much do your students know about recycling? This site will help them become a "planet protector." Crossword puzzles, an interactive storybook, and games are available for students to start getting excited about recycling!

10) **[|Paper or Plastic?]** California is a great example of how recycling initiatives are effective in a community. "As of July 1st, 2007 there is a new law that will make it even easier for California to do the right thing by recycling plastic grocery bags. New requirements are now placed on grocery stores and pharmaceuticals to provide recycle bins for the estimated 19 billion plastic retail carryout bags we use annually." Information on why it is important to recycle plastic bags is stated in this on-line resource. There are also five helpful ways to remove plastic shopping bags from the environment.
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11) **[|Plastic Water Bottles]** Plastic bottles so often end up in landfills. This on-line report emphasizes that this increases air pollution and other global problems. "An on-the-go society combined with masses of health conscious consumers has turned the single serve bottle of water into a national icon. Now, according to a report released today by the California Department of Conservation, billions of these empty “icons” are causing serious environmental problems."
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12) [|Recycling in Washington D.C.] This website provides information about recycling in the Washington D.C. area. Information on services such as commercial recycling, education & outreach and special events are listed. How do these intiatives compare to the state you live in?
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13) **[|Recycling Facts]** The more you know, the more you and your students know how to recycle effectively. Included in this website are facts about different recyclable materials: paper, glass, aluminum, paper. Students will be surprised to learn how long styrofome will sit in a landfill and other facts about non-recyclables.
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14) **[|Recycling Statistics]** This website provides statistics on recyclable materials. It is interesting to learn that it took more than ten years to start recycling plastic. This page also provides information on where recycling goes, brochures and fact sheets. As teachers, we can never have too much information!
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15) **[|Recycling Logos]** This on-line resource provides downloadable clipart. Symbols and logos, materials, trucks, containers and bins are just some of the clipart that is available on this site. Students will be able to become familiar with the symbols and logos associated with recycling.
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16) **[|Awards and Poetry Contests in New Jersey]** New Jersey holds recycling awards and poetry contests. If you do not reside in New Jersey, it may be fun to create a poetry contest in your school or classroom. This on-line resource provides project ideas for teachers.
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17) **[|America Recycle's Day]** NASA has created activities to support recycling. Some of the activities include, recycled art projects to excess property auctions. This on-line resource provides a schedule of NASA's events to support America Recycle's Day.
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18) **[|Recycling at School Video (NY)]** Let's talk trash! This contains fun videos for elementary, middle school and high school students. There is also a video for teachers and administration. It teaches them which recyclable materials go into the color coded bins. These videos have general recycling information but also New York specific recycling information for schools. New York has the biggest and most ambitious recycling program in the nation. Other states can learn from example.
 * [|http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/recycling/videos.shtml#K6]**

19) **[|40 Tips to Go Green]** The website, California Department of Conservation, has provided a list of 40 tips on how to stay green. Recycling is the main topic of these 40 tips. Recycling does not always have to take the form of throwing recyclables into bins. Recycling can mean having a garage sale or starting a compost pile.
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20) **[|Electronic Waste Reuse (IL)]** This on-line report offers information about recycling electronics in Illinois. Many electronics are made from some form of plastic. This report provides information on how to prevent electronic waste from ending up in landfills.
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21) **[|America Recycles Day (IL)]** November 15 is America Recycles Day in Illinois. "Make a conscious effort to buy products manufactured using recycled commodities." This on-line resource is intended to help initiate a strong recycling program by urging Illinoisans to be passionate about recycling.
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22) **[|Executive Order 13101]** This on-line presidential document sites the Executive Order 13101. The order is entitled, Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition. It states that each Executive agency should initiate a recycling program that is compliant with state and local requirements.
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23) **[|Facts, Games and Crafts]** [] This is a great on-line booklet for teachers to use in their classroom. It is full of facts, games and crafts. This booklet also teaches students what it means to reduce, reuse, recycle.

24) **[|Saving Energy]** [] What can you do to save energy? How can recycling save energy? These questions are explored by the Energy Information Administration's website.

25) **[|Solid Waste and Recycling]** [] This on-line resource explores garbage. How is it sorted? What happens to it? This page also provides information on how we can reduce our garbarge and help our world.

26) **[|Solid Waste Management Quiz]** [] This quiz is produced by Floridas Seminole County's website. Most of the questions pertain to recycling nationwide. This is a good template for teachers who are looking for ways to measure students' knowledge of recycling.

27) **[|Trash Talk!]** [] Learn how to make a "Rotten Garbage Garden." There are riddles about recycling and puzzling problems. Information on America Recycles Day is also stated on this on-line resource.

__Non-Government Resources__ 28) **[|Recycle Roundup]** [] This is a fun on-line interactive game for students that teaches them about recycling. Students need to sort the trash into three bins: recyclable, non-recyclable and food. How much trash can you sort in two minutes?

29) **[|The Teacher's Guide]** [] This website provides ideas for teachers who want to teach their students about the importance of recycling. Lesson plans, thematic units and activities around the idea of recycling are provided. Recycling printouts, clipart, crafts and books are also suggested.

30) **[|Michael Recycle]** [] Michael Recycle is a superhero that spreads the benefits of recycling to others. This is a fun children's book about recycling that will get kids excited about saving the earth. Even his suit is made out of recyclables!



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