ABCs of Recycling and

Conservation

By: Kristen Johnson

A is for America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day is

November 15th! On this day, we all work

together to help the planet.

B is for Bottles

Lots of Bottles arerecyclable. If we take off their tops,

they can go

in the recycling bin too!

C is for Composting

To Compost means to let

certain materials degrade

naturally outside, instead of in the trash. Things like Cantelope and

Cabbage can be Composted.

D

is for reDuce

Pollution

Waste

ReDucing human waste is one of the main dreams of people who recycle!

E is for Environment

Environment is the space around you.

When we recycle, it helps to keep ourEnvironment clean!

F is for Fabric Bags

Fabric Bags are fabulous as reusable bags! They can replace plastic bags that get

forgotten and thrown away!

G is for Go Green!

‘Go Green’ means to make your life more ‘nature friendly’.

H is for Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials are things that are bad for us, and the environment. They

might hurt you if you touch them.

I is for Illegal Dumping

When we throw away trash in places we should not, its called Illegal

Dumping.

This is bad for the Earth because trash doesn’t get disposed of properly, and

because animals could get hurt by the trash.

J is for Junk MailJunk Mail is things you get

in the mail that you don’t want.

A lot of Junk Mail is recyclable!

K is for Kids!

Kids are key to keeping recycling on course!

Kids can recycle their trash and convince their parents to

keep recycling too!

L is for Litter

Litter is another word for Trash.

The word Litter is written on lots of signs.

M is for Metal

There are many types of metal that may be recycled. They can get melted down and reused.

N is for nature

Nature is just one of the things that benefit from recycling and conservation.

O

is

for

Off

When you leave a room, make sure to turn Off the lights.

When you aren’t using the water, turn Off the faucet.

P is for Paper

Paper is one of the most commonly recycled

products!

Q is for Questions

Ask yourself ‘Can this be recycled?’ before you throw

something away

R is for

Recycle

Recycle means to cycle through again, and to

put a material through a second

‘cycle’ of use.

S is for Solar Energy

Solar Energy is energy that comes from the

Sun! We can use this energy to

power many things like houses and cars.

T is for Textiles ‘Textiles’ are things

made of fabric like clothes,

sheets, rugs, belts, shoes, and furniture.

Textiles can be reused through GoodWill, or

recycled into something new.

U is for reUse

ReUse means to put something old in a new purpose, or to recycle it so it can be made

into something new!

V is for Volunteer

Volunteer means to give your time for free to help. Picking up trash or

teaching people about recycling are just two ways to volunteer and there

are lots more.

W is for Water

Water is something you might not think can be recycled, but the earth reuses it all the time,

and so do We!

Xylology is the study of trees, which are important to save because they help give us air to breathe.

X is for Xylology

Y is for Yard Waste

Yard waste is grass clippings, pine straw,

branches and other things out of your

yard that you want taken away.

Z is for Zoo

Animals’ habitats are threatened by waste,

when we recycle, it helps save

their homes.

Connections to Content StandardsNC Standard Course:

5th Grade Science:

Competency Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations to build an

understanding of the interdependence of plants and animals

Objective 1.6: Explain and evaluate some ways that humans affect ecosystems• Habitat reduction due to development• Pollutants• Increased nutrients.

NC Extended Content Standards:

9th- 12th Grade Earth/Environmental Science

Competency Goal 2, Extended Standard:• Identify appropriate uses of natural resources.• Economic uses• Conservation/stewardship• Environmental Impact• Observe and investigate the results of geological processes (what are rocks

and why are they here)• Earthquakes as a result of tectonic movement• Maps