Tennessee Solid Waste Education Project

Reuse Guide

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It is easier to do these actions if you know where to start. There are plenty of solid waste curriculums and guides available. Most of these tend to focus on recycling and source reduction. Reuse is a different story. This guide is designed to help you, the classroom teacher, start encouraging reuse among your students and colleagues.

It is divided into the following four sections:

Section A: Reuse in the Classroom

This section contains activities that reuse common household items. Once you start thinking about reuse, the creative juices start to flow and all types of ideas come forth when you look at that “old piece of junk.” This section also contains case studies of some teachers who have implemented reuse in their classroom teaching as well as tips and ideas for increasing the amount of reuse occurring in your school.

Section B: Reuse in the Home

This section has activities that will encourage your students to think before they buy and to brainstorm reuse ideas on their own. So many reuse possibilities begin because someone had a “bright idea” but it does take practice. It also has a reuse guide for some common household items.

Section C: Reuse in the Community

There are many industries that have been created and other that have
cut costs because of reuse. These case studies will provide background
material for you and your students for classroom discussions and
debates.

Section D: Reuse Resources

Books, pamphlets, curriculums and Internet sites that will give you more information about reuse and reused products.

TNSWEP Services:

In-service Workshops for K-12 teachers and pre-service teachers provide opportunities to participate in hands-on activities that work in the classroom. TNSWEP lesson plans and activities are correlated with Tennessee Learning Expectations.

Curriculum workshops are designed for educators in the non-formal sector. Workshops include highly interactive sessions and the latest information about solid waste management.

Classroom presentations are for K-12 students in public or private schools.

Assistance in planning environmental education events, such as an Earth Day Celebration or an EnvironMental Fair, is available from TNSWEP consultants.