Observe - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce, reuse, and recycle are the 3 Rs of waste management.  Reduce means to cut down on the amount of things you use.  We can do that by using less stuff and using only what we need.  Reuse means that something can be used over again.  When we recycle we use something again in a different way by taking the materials and using it to make something new.  By reducing, reusing, and recycling, we can be sure that less waste ends in landfills.  This helps to conserve the environment and natural resources.


 Notebook: How can I reduce, reuse, and recycle?

  1. Click here to download this activity.
  2. Complete the activity using the links provided (in the activity and below).
  3. Check your answers below and save your corrected work to your Waste Notebook.

Activity Links:

    Check Your Answers

    3 Rs

    Ways to Reduce

    • Turn off tap when not using it.
    • Turn off lights when they are not needed.
    • Turn down heater and cooling system.

    Ways to Reuse

    • Use reusable water bottles.
    • Use reusable dishes.
    • Use reusable bags for shopping.
    • Fix broken toys.
    • Give away toys, books, furniture, or clothes for others to use.

    Things to Recycle

    • Recycle bottles, cans, glass, paper, batteries, old electronics.

     Digging Deeper

    Play the Waste Avengers game to see how long it can take to for things found in Tommy’s lunch to biodegrade.  Also, learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle some of the lunch items.