Activity 2.2.3 Recycling

Purpose Have you ever filled a trash bag, poured cereal from a box, hammered a nail into wood, or consumed a soda from an aluminum can? That trash bag, cereal box, nail, or aluminum can was most likely made from recycled materials. Most of us are familiar with the recycling of cans, paper products, and some plastics. But very few of us know that we can recycle our shoes. Landfills are currently swamped with products that are both recyclable and non-recyclable.

Many companies are seeking innovative ideas for recyclable materials that are currently lying as waste in landfills. Nike has taken the lead in advancing our recycling technology by creating sport surfaces, playgrounds, and floor mats from recycled athletic shoes. With technological advancements such as these comes the need for new standards or codes for environmental protection.

Equipment Computer Engineer’s notebook Internet access

Procedure In this project you will learn about some of the more common symbols and standards or codes that regulate recycling. These codes serve to protect the environment as well as all living things. Complete the tasks listed below as a team unless noted otherwise.

1. Document information, as necessary, while your teacher discusses the Recycling Materials presentation. You will document the information in Activity 2.2.3a Recycling Facts.

2. Answer the questions below for each product selected in Activity 2.2.1 Product Analysis. Record the information in Activity 2.2.3a Recycling Facts. Can the entire product be recycled? What parts of the product can be recycled? What is the composition of the material(s) for these parts? What parts of the product cannot be recycled? What is the composition of the material(s) for these parts?

© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Principles of Engineering Activity 2.2.3 Recycling – Page 1 3. Create a Product Development Lifecycle for each product selected. You can use the example provided in the Recycling Materials presentation as a template, if necessary.

4. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked your team to create a promotional medium to encourage a selected age group to recycle at least two different products. Provide your teacher with the following information to be pre- approved. Age group Medium—Sign, cartoon, song, commercial, bumper sticker, t-shirt, or packaging (e.g., cereal box or bag, milk jug, covering of glass container, soda can, container for trash bag dispenser, newspaper stand) Recyclable products of focus (e.g., wood, plastic, metal, glass, shoes, jeans, etc.)

Conclusion Questions 1. What is meant by the expression “going green”?

2. What emerging recycling technology exists in your area of interest or hobby?

5. What was the most interesting fact about recycling that you learned during the Recycling Calculator virtual tour?

© 2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc. Principles of Engineering Activity 2.2.3 Recycling – Page 2 6. Various organizations host recycling challenges across the nation. What are some creative recycling competitions that could be implemented within your school district or community?

7. How does recycling impact the economy of the United States?

Going Beyond: Recycling Trivia 8. What was the first recycling standard enacted in your state? 9. What product makes up the largest percentage of trash for the nation? 10.What product makes up the largest percentage of trash for your state? 11.How long does it take a banana, a tin can, and a tennis shoe to degrade? 12.Locate two pieces of recycling trivia that you find interesting. Cite the source(s) of the trivia.