Primary School – Education Activity 1

Objectives

• Learn and participate in waste audit
• Find out the types and quantity of waste produced
• Reduce waste by type and quantity
• Understand the importance of personal practices in reducing waste

References and Resources

• A Week’s Classroom Waste Record and Waste Reduction Action List (Available at “Downloads”)
• Teachers may refer to Chapter 1.1 Municipal Solid Waste

Content / Steps

1. Divide students into five groups and assign each group with a day’s waste auditing, ensure that everyone can take part.
2. Use A Week’s Classroom Waste Record to record waste type and quantity.
3. After a week’s recording, teacher can review the types and quantity of waste produced with students.
4. Teacher guides students through discussion about the type of waste and quantity, and together decide what actions in the Waste Reduction Action List should be taken.
5. Having all students agreed on the waste reduction actions listed in the "Waste Reduction Action List," they will put these actions into practice over the next week.
6. Repeat the waste recording while implementing waste reduction actions, and review the result with students after the week. Which type of waste recorded the greatest reduction in quantity? Is there any change to the waste quantity in total? Why?

Further discussion / activity

• Is it important for everyone to reduce waste? If we all take actions together, how would it affect the quantity of Hong Kong’s waste?
• Carry out weekly waste audit at home to bring waste reduction from school to home.

Teaching tips

• Prior to the activity, learn about and adjust the waste collection time and frequency of the school janitors to facilitate students’ “waste audit”.
• If gloves or tongs are needed to carry out waste recording, use reusable ones. Do not create disposable waste for the activity!