Action 2: Recycle Right 

What it is 

Youth learn the importance of recycling and identify different ways to sort waste through a recycle sorting game. 

Why it matters

Garbage is an inevitable part of modern day life, and understanding how to properly sort garbage, recyclables, and items that can be composted, is an effective way to preserve the environment and its resources. When items are sorted incorrectly, the entire recycling batch can be ruined and sent to the landfill. 

Getting started

Time: 40 minutes 

Grade level: 3-5 

Materials: 

• Means to watch video, How Recycling Works
• Earth On Us – Recycling survey – 1 per person
• Writing utensils – 1 per person
• Recycling Pledge Banner (see Facilitator Prep) 
• Recycling Game picture cards – 1 set per group of 4-5 
• Garbage, Recycling, Compost List – 1 per group of 4-5 
• 3 containers (e.g., buckets, cups) labeled “Trash,” “Recycle,” and “Compost” – 1 set per group of 4-5 
• Space for a simple relay (see Step 3) Note: for an alternative non-movement-oriented activity, youth can sort their cards at their tables into piles instead of containers. 
• Optional Recycle Right sign: Post this in your program space, or pass out copies to youth to post in various places to encourage others to take the “Bring My Water Bottle” pledge! 

Facilitator Prep: 

• Youth will be signing the Recycling Pledge Banner, so consider printing it out large, such as on an 11×17 piece of paper, or printing out multiple copies so that everyone has room to sign their names. Alternatively, you can reproduce your own banner on a large piece of butcher paper. 
• Print 1 set of Recycling Game picture cards for each group of 4-5 youth. Print each set on a different color paper so that groups can distinguish their cards from other groups (e.g., group 1 will get the cards printed on yellow paper, group 2 on white paper, etc.). Cut out the cards. Mix up each set and place that set in its own envelope. 
• Label 3 containers (e.g., cups, buckets, baskets) as “Trash,” “Recycle,” and “Compost” and place them in different corners of your program space. 

Background

Every day, families throw away items that could be recycled. This is often because it can be confusing what items can be recycled, where they can be recycled, and how. While local recycling programs may differ slightly in what they accept, there are three basic rules to help guide families on proper recycling: 1) Bottles, cans, cups, tubs, paper and cardboard can all be recycled as long as they are dry and clean; 2) Keep food and liquid out of recycling bins. Some food items may be composted! 3) If you choose to collect recyclables in a bag, be sure to dump the items directly into the recycling bin rather than place the filled bag inside. Plastic bags are not recyclable². Recycling right: 

• Reduces waste
• Saves energy and natural resources
• Protects animals from pollution
• Keeps our community cleaner
• Cuts greenhouse gas emissions

Composting is a natural way of recycling which takes food scraps and yard trimmings, breaks them down naturally and in turn, leaves you with a nutrient soil amendment which can be used to further protect the environment and improve plant and flower growth. There are different ways families can compost, such as backyard composting and worm composting; otherwise some communities or municipalities have local composting programs. Depending on the type of composting, certain products may not be suitable for composting, such as meat, oils, cheese, treated wood, pet waste, dairy products, etc. To learn more, visit: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

²Waste Management, Inc. (2026). Recycling 101. WM. https://www.wm.com/us/en/recycle-right/recycling-101

What to do

Step 1: Learn why it matters (5 minutes)

1. Ask youth to share their ideas about why sorting garbage properly matters.
2. Then ask,
   • Do you recycle or compost at home? What do you recycle or compost at home?
   • What items are confusing?
3. Share that recycling and composting right
   • Increases the amount of clean recyclable materials
   • Reduces contamination
   • Lowers emissions from waste processing
   • Encourages responsible material use

Step 2: See the science (5 minutes)

4. Explain that recycling works only when the correct materials go into the correct bin. Watch How Recycling Works to learn more about how it happens.
5. Ask youth what they learned from the video—how does the recycling get sorted? Then ask them to share what they know about how to help the recycling centers process the materials most efficiently. For instance:
   • Paper can be recycled only when dry
   • Plastic bottles and containers are recyclable in most cities
   • Food left in containers can spoil an entire recycling batch
   • Plastic bags jam machines – never put them in the bin!
   • Have you ever composted before?
   • What items can go in compost? See what youth know and then use the background information to briefly fill in the gaps of their understanding.
6. Next, watch this short video, Why is Composting Good for the Environment.
   • Have you ever composted before? 
   • What items can go in compost? See what youth know and then use the background information to briefly fill in the gaps of their understanding.

Step 3: Learn to sort garbage (15 minutes)

7. Let’s play the Recycle Right Sorting Game!
   • Play the game in teams, 4-5 players per team
   • Give each team an envelope of 36 picture cards (see Facilitator Prep. Note: If you forgot to print them on different colored paper, give each group a different color marker and have them place a colored dot on each card before playing the game.) 
   • Bonus: Youth may create additional cards to add to the game. 
   • In the relay, each randomly picked card will be put into 3 labeled bins (Garbage, Recycling and Compost), till the picture cards are exhausted. 
   • Let’s see how you did!
     • Each table receives Garbage, Recycling, Compost List with correct sorting orders. 
     • For each bin, pull out each item and have teams check the chart to see if the item was placed correctly. Teams can make a note of any item they placed incorrectly by noting the color of the card.
     • Any tricky items, discuss why they’re placed in either recycling, garbage, or compost. 

Step 4: Take the pledge (5 minutes) 

8. Make your promise to the planet! Sign your name on the Pledge Banner (see Facilitator Prep for banner preparation suggestions) to show your commitment and receive your sticker. Display it proudly at school or during your event to inspire others to join the movement!
9. Go to EarthOnUs.org under Actions → Recycle Right, and make the pledge! 

Step 5: Take the survey (5 minutes) 

10. Distribute the Earth On Us – Recycling survey for youth to take. 

Step 6: Celebrate! (5 minutes) 

11. Gather everyone to wrap things up. Ask:
    • How do you think recycling and composting will make a difference?
    • What are some other steps you can take?
12. Remind youth that small actions make big impacts! By learning to recycle properly, you’re helping:
    • Keep the community clean