6th-8th Grade

Lessons within 6th–8th grade build upon students’ understanding and help them gain greater awareness of the broader environmental, sustainability, and societal issues related to recycling and its role in conserving natural resources. The lessons can be taught as a unit or individually – whatever fits best for your students and your curriculum.

  • 3 unique age-appropriate lessons
  • Classroom and take-home activities
  • Teaching tools include videos, slides, and posters

Foundational Knowledge

2 Minutes

Recycling Simplified Student Video

Introduce recycling with this brief video that sets the foundation for all lessons.

Lesson 1

30-40 Minutes

A Fresh Look at Garbage

Lesson 1 introduces recycling and how it reduces the amount of trash going into a landfill. Students conduct an audit to understand how much recyclable and non-recyclable waste they generate at school.

Resources include:

  • Lesson Plan
  • Teacher's Reference Guide
  • Presentation Slides
  • In-Class Activity
  • Take-Home Handouts
  • Poster
Student presenting

Lesson 2

40 Minutes X 2

Inside Look at a Recycling Center

Lesson 2 takes students on a video tour of a recycling center. Working in small groups, they conduct online research and present their findings to the class.

Resources include:

  • Lesson Plan
  • Teacher's Reference Guide
  • Presentation Slides
  • In-Class Activity
  • Take-Home Handouts
  • Poster
  • Virtual Tour
Employees going through recycling

Lesson 3

40-50 Minutes

Recycling Escape Room

In Lesson 3, students put into practice what they have learned in a team-based activity to solve puzzles and problems related to recycling.

Resources include:

  • Lesson Plan
  • Teacher's Reference Guide
  • Presentation Slides
  • In-Class Activity
  • Take-Home Handouts
  • Poster
  • Virtual Tour
Teacher grabbing recycling items to put in bin
For Administrators

Would you like to implement this program in your school?

Educators are key to childhood success, helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and character needed to thrive in and contribute to our society. We know that many lifelong beliefs and behaviors gain their foothold in adolescence. So, when you deepen your students’ understanding of the impact of recycling, you are helping shape our environment and the world around us for generations to come.

Download Full Curriculum