With millions of school kids at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and now for summer break, parents are looking for fun and smart activities to fill time, which is why Republic Services developed Recycling Simplified At-Home Learning, a free online resource for recycling education.
The program features engaging videos, games and downloadable activities for grades pre-K through 12 that are family-friendly and require zero teaching experience. For kids ages 3 to 10, many of the activities are designed for "learning together" so family members can participate and brush up on the do's and don'ts of household recycling.
For educators looking for lesson plans and activities about recycling and sustainability for online and classroom teaching, Republic Services also has a free online curriculum for pre-K through 12th grades. Like the at-home program for parents, the curriculum was written and vetted by teachers and is aligned with grade-level standards. It includes step-by-step lesson plans and supporting materials such as videos, virtual field trips, slides, handouts and student certificates.
"Most people care about the environment and want to recycle; however, many are genuinely unsure about how and what to recycle. In fact, about 30 percent of what people put in their recycling containers doesn't belong there," said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability. "By reinforcing recycling best practices in our schools, we can reduce recycling contamination rates and ensure local recycling programs remain sustainable for future generations."
