Hey there! Have you ever thought about what happens to the trash we throw away every day? Like the eggshells from breakfast, the plastic bag from lunch, or the metal cans from dinner? We all make trash, and it’s important to know where it goes!
Some of the waste we create can decompose. This means it breaks down or rots over time. If you’ve ever walked in the woods, you might have seen leaves or old logs turning brown and mushy. That’s decomposition! These things decompose because they were once alive, like parts of a tree.
We also make waste that decomposes, such as apple cores, eggshells, and banana peels. This kind of waste can be turned into compost, which is great food for gardens. We’ll talk more about composting another time!
But what about the waste that doesn’t rot or break down? Some of it ends up in a landfill, which is basically a big, smelly dump where trash sits for a long time. Luckily, there’s a way to deal with this waste without adding to the mess: recycling!
Recycling means taking waste and turning it into something new. You might have a recycling bin at school or at home. We can recycle things like metal, plastic, and paper. Let’s see what happens to these materials when we recycle them!
When metal is recycled, it’s collected and taken to a special factory. There, it’s crushed, squished together, and chopped into tiny pieces. These pieces are melted in a big oven and poured into molds to make new blocks of metal. These blocks can be used to make new cans, foil, or even parts of bikes and cars!
Plastic, like your old milk jug, is also taken to a special factory. It’s shredded into tiny bits, melted, and made into little pellets. Factories use these pellets to create new things like water bottles, food containers, park benches, carpet, and even some types of clothing!
Recycling paper is a bit different. It’s mixed with water at a recycling center until it becomes a goopy mixture. This goop is squished into big, flat sheets, which are left to dry and then cut into new pieces of paper. We can use this new paper for art projects and more!
When we recycle, we’re breaking down waste that doesn’t decompose on its own. This helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills and is better for our planet. So, keep recycling and help make less waste for everyone!
Thanks for learning with us at Sci Show Kids! If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments or send us an email at [email protected].
Compost in a Jar: Create your own mini compost bin using a clear jar. Collect some decomposable waste like apple cores, banana peels, and eggshells. Layer them with soil in the jar. Over the next few weeks, observe how the waste changes. What do you notice about the color, texture, and smell? Discuss with your family or friends why these changes are happening.
Recycling Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt around your home or school to find items that can be recycled. Make a list of what you find, such as plastic bottles, metal cans, and paper. Discuss with a parent or teacher how each item can be recycled and what new things they might become. Can you think of any creative ways to reuse these items before recycling them?
Decomposition Detective: Next time you visit a park or garden, look for natural items like leaves, twigs, or fruit peels that are decomposing. Take a magnifying glass if you have one and observe closely. What do you see? Are there any bugs or worms helping with the decomposition? Talk about why decomposition is important for nature and how it helps plants grow.
