Lunchroom Recycling Plan

Unit of 4 Lessons
Grade Levels: 
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Subjects: 
Arts Education
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
Media / Technology
Issue Area: 
Environment
Focus Question 

What waste can we identify at school? What small change can we make to address the waste?

Photo credit: Lunchroom by Rob Ireton is licensed under CC by 4.0 

Unit Overview 

Students conduct a one-day waste audit in their school, especially the lunch room. They analyze the data collected and make recommendations for reducing waste in the school. 

Service Experience 
Suggest ways to reduce waste in the lunchroom, such as pack lunch items in reusable containers instead of plastic bags, cloth napkins from home rather than paper, only taking the food you are going to eat, and asking the lunch room to consider using non-plastic and non-Styrofoam materials. Make and carry out a recycle plan in the lunchroom with bins and education about processes. Create posters and informational flyers. Put them up around your school, on social media, and in the community to teach students about recycling and communicate a plan
Lessons in This Unit 
Unit: 
Lunchroom Recycling Plan
Lesson 1 of 4
Grades: 
K
1
2

Students learn how and challenge others to reduce waste based on observing habits in the lunchroom or in the classroom trash can.

Adapt this one-period lesson plan for your grade level and follow it with a simple and powerful service project for Earth Day. The reflection brings learning and service impact together. 

Photo credit: Lunchroom by Rob Ireton is licensed under CC by 4.0 

Unit: 
Lunchroom Recycling Plan
Lesson 2 of 4
Grades: 
K
1
2
3
4
5

Students organize and implement a school-based recycling plan based on a one-day lunchroom waste audit.

Adapt this one-period lesson plan for your grade level and follow it with a simple and powerful service project for Earth Day. The reflection brings learning and service impact together. 

Photo credit: Lunchroom by Rob Ireton is licensed under CC by 4.0 

Unit: 
Lunchroom Recycling Plan
Lesson 3 of 4
Grades: 
6
7
8

Students organize and implement a school-based recycling plan based on a one-day lunchroom waste audit.

Adapt this one-period lesson plan and follow it with a simple and powerful service project for Earth Day. The reflection brings learning and service impact together. 

Photo credit: Lunchroom by Rob Ireton is licensed under CC by 4.0 

Unit: 
Lunchroom Recycling Plan
Lesson 4 of 4
Grades: 
9
10
11
12

Students organize and implement a school-based recycling plan based on research and interests of the group.

This adaptable one-period lesson plan includes a simple and powerful service project for Earth Day. The reflection brings learning and service impact together. 

Photo credit: Lunchroom by Rob Ireton is licensed under CC by 4.0