Project Learning Tree’s Secondary Module “Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste” has eight great activities to use with high school students or adults. The activity “Where Does Your Garbage Go?” familiarizes students with municipal solid waste at the community level.
As an aquatic extension, look at how your community deals with household hazardous wastes. Research the following questions.
- What type of cleaners and/or toxins are in students’ homes?
- How should these be disposed of properly?
- Where does this hazardous waste go when it is dumped down drains?
- Does it impact aquatic life? If so, how?
- Are there alternative methods to these cleaning products? If so, name some.
Books
Grades 9 – 12
Andersen, T., Kennedy, R. 2002. This Fine Piece of Water : An Environmental History of Long Island Sound. Yale University Press.
DIANE Publishing Company. 1994. Household Hazardous Waste Management: A Manual for One-Day Community Collection Programs. DIANE Publishing Company.
Dolin, J. 2004. Political Waters: The Long, Dirty, Contentious, Incredibly Expensive, but Eventually Triumphant History of Boston Harbor : A Unique Environmental Success Story. University of Massachusetts Press.
Haar, C. 2005. Mastering Boston Harbor: Courts, Dolphins, and Imperiled Waters. Harvard University Press.
Tammemagi, H.Y. 1999. Waste Crisis: Landfills, Incinerators, and the Search for a Sustainable Future. Oxford University Press.
