Grades 6–8 Activities

The Importance of Recycling

Activities for grades 6-8 (ages 11–13) build on teens’ understanding of how recycling affects our environment and helps save natural resources. Each activity stands alone, so you can have your teen do one or both.

All materials have been carefully developed by teachers with age-appropriate vocabulary and visuals:

  • Watch & Listen videos about recycling and what household items can be recycled
  • Quick-Start Challenges such as a puzzle or game
Teen smiling

Watch & Listen

5-10 Minutes

The Importance of Recycling

Reinforce the importance of recycling and the 3 easy steps for recycling correctly with this brief age-appropriate video. Parent tips provide ideas for discussing the video with your teen.

Discussion Questions

Students playing a game console

Quick-Start Challenge

15-30 Minutes

What Happens Inside a Recycling Center?

Have your teen take a video tour of a recycling center and learn about the unique kinds of machinery used to sort recyclables. They solve a letter-scramble puzzle containing words and phrases associated with a recycling center.

Worksheet Answer Key

Employees discussing over iPad screen