Project Trash

The lesson plans, resources and background information listed below are included to help teachers and students to prepare for and conduct their environmental action project if it deals with renewable/nonrenwable resource issues.

An Earth Force Project could address:
The Event: State law and local ordinances require recycling in many schools, colleges and universities (Act 101 of 1988)
The Problem: Not all of the educational institions mandated to recycle are in compliance with local ordinances, thus causing their host municipalities to be in non-compliance with Act 101.
The Issue: Do the economic, environmental, and education benefits of compliance with recycling laws justify the cost for schools, colleges and universities to implement and maintain recycling programs?
Taken from the PCEE web page: Essentials of EE for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Academic Standards in Environment and Ecology addressed:

• 4.2 Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources
  4.2.7 B Examine the renewability of resources
  4.2.7 D Describe the role of recycling and waste management
• 4.3.7 Environmental Health
  4.3.7 A Identify environmental health issues
  4.3.7 B Describe how human action affects the health of the environment
• 4.9.7 Environmental Laws and Regulations
  4.9.7 A Explain the role of environmental law and regulations

Teacher Resources:

• Conserving for the Future - Renewable and Nonrenewable Standards Based K-12 Activity Guide
• List of available Curriculum Re-alignment Materials offered through the Department of Education, Office of Environment and Ecology.
• Inventory Tools:
  • Conducting an waste and recycling audit in your school: visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (http://www.dnr.state.wi.us), go to Education and Training (found in the left column), on the education page scroll down to Teacher and Youth Leader Programs, in Activities & Projects, select Green School Programs, in Green School Programs click on Audit (found in left column) or try this direct link: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/greenschools/index.htm

Documents on Municipal Waste Management :
Glossary A-P; Glossary Q-Z
from Project Trash- Learning About Littering and Illegal Dumping, A Teacher's Resource, PA Cleanways-State, 105 West Fourth Street, Greensburg, PA 15601:
      Background Information on Littering and Illegal Dumping
      Increased Waste Generation
      Produce Less Waste by Practicing the 3 Rs
      Trash Timeline and History of Waste Management
      Litter: Intentional?
      Illegal Dumping
      Federal Laws on Littering and Illegal Dumping
      Waste Management, Littering and Illegal Dumping Laws
      PA Department of Environmental Protection
Project Trash Community Survey
Intentional & Unintentional Littering Concept Map - see below(.DOC file)

International Coastal Cleanup 2006 Sites & Site Coordinators (.DOC file)

Under Construction:

Websites with Municipal Waste Management information: