- A
Mini Landfill
- (Adapted from
Nutrition Comes Alive, Level 6, A Case of Waste, by the Division
of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University)
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- GRADE LEVELS:
K-3
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- SUBJECT AREAS:
science
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- CONCEPT:
Which materials will decompose, and which will not?
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- OBJECTIVE:
To observe the difference between degradable and non-degradable
wastes.
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- MATERIALS:
_ large glass or plastic jars, or aquarium
_ various pieces of garbage to bury (small food scraps, bones,
metals, cardboard, paper, plastic)
_ soil from garden or other outdoor area (not sterilized potting
soil)
_ water
_ plastic wrap
_ worksheet: Where Does This Trash Belong?
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- KEYWORDS:
degrade, landfill, decompose, compost
BACKGROUND: Landfills have changed a lot over time. In
the 1700's people threw their garbage in the street and pigs
and other animals ate it. We make much more garbage today than
they did then. If we threw our garbage in the streets today,
we would be buried in it!
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- Today most of our garbage goes to a
landfill; some is burned and some recycled. Sending most of our
garbage to a landfill is becoming a problem because we are running
out of spaces. Where would a city put a landfill?
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- We have to start looking at our garbage
in a different way. In our garbage, there are many resources
that should not end up in a landfill. We need to:
1) Reduce the amount of waste we produce,
2) Recycle all that we can,
3) Compost all organic material,
4) Incinerate what is left if that option is feasible and/or
available, and
5) Landfill the leftover material.
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- PROCEDURE: Follow
the directions below to make your own mini-landfill.
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- 1. Fill the jar about half full of
soil. Add 4 or 5 different pieces of garbage. Keep a list of
all the things you put in.
- 2. Cover the garbage with more soil.
Sprinkle the soil with water and cover the top of the jar with
plastic wrap.
3. Place the jar in a warm place for about ten days.
- 4. Then empty the contents of the jar
onto a newspaper and examine the bits of garbage. Record and
date any changes that you see. Repeat several times to record
changes.
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- Type of Garbage - Changes Observed
- What Else Could Be Done With This Item?
- 1. ______________________________________________________________________
- 2. ______________________________________________________________________
- 3. ______________________________________________________________________
- 4. ______________________________________________________________________
- 5. ______________________________________________________________________
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- FOLLOW-UP: Based
on your observations, which materials do you think would naturally
decompose? Should they be sent to a landfill, or should they
be composted?
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- Back to Solid Waste Activities Grades K-3
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