Hands-on science After reading "Down in the Dumps" , try this activity to learn how you can reduce the amount of garbage you produce

Science World, March 31, 2008

PREDICT

How do you think your lunchtime food choices could help reduce trash?

MATERIALS

pencil * paper

* Teachers: See p. TE 2 of this issue's Teacher's Edition for information on station setup.

DIRECTIONS

1 At the start of the activity, your teacher will assign you to one of three stations.

2 At the station, copy the chart below onto a piece of notebook paper.

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

3 Write a description of each item on the table in the "Lunch Items" column--don't forget to include the box or bag in which the lunch is packed.

4 In the "Leftovers" column, write down what packaging or food scraps would remain after the lunch had been eaten.

5 Check off whether you could recycle or reuse what's left over, or if you must trash it. (Note: You may need to do research to find out what items your city or school recycles. For an example of items accepted by San Diego, California's recycling program, visit: www.sandiego.gov /environmental-services /recycling/list.shtml)

6 After five minutes, your teacher will tell your group to move to the next station.

7 Repeat steps 2 through 6 until you have filled in charts for all three stations.

CONCUSSIONS

1. Create a bar graph to show the number of recycled, reused, or trashed items from each lunch. Which lunch produced the most waste? Which one produced the least?

2. List three ways in which you could decrease the amount of garbage you generate.

3. How could a school recycling program help keep trash out of landfills? How could a schoolwide composting program help the environment? (If your school doesn't have these programs, how could you start them?)