Sorting Garbage That Can be Recycled

Age
3-6.

Materials

 * A clear plastic bin tohold basic unsorted, clean garbage: newspaper, paper items, empty juice boxes, plastic containers, bottles, aluminum cans, etc.
 * 3 different colored baskets/trays to sort garbage.
 * 3 labels color cordinated with the baskets. The labels should read: "Glass, Plastic and Aluminum"; "Paper" and "Newspaper".

Preparation
Individual or Group presentation.

Presentation

 * 1) Ask a child to lay out a floor mat.
 * 2) Introduce the activity and carry the bin and the baskets to the mat.
 * 3) Explain to the children that you are going to show them how to sort garbage.
 * 4) Show them that the used containers have already been rinsed and are ready to be sorted.
 * 5) Begin by separating the 3 colored trays in a row on the mat.
 * 6) place the correct labels below the colored trays.
 * 7) Remove the items from the bin one at a time.
 * 8) Name each item as you remove it and place it in the correct tray/basket.
 * 9) Remove the next item from the bin and ask the child to name it and place it in the correct tray.
 * 10) Continue removing, naming and placing items with the children until the recycling bin is empty.
 * 11) Return all of the recycled items to the bin.
 * 12) Invite the child to repeat the activity.
 * 13) Remind the child to return the material to the shelf when she is finished.

Purpose

 * To teach a child about recycling and to care for the environment.