Vocabulary Words to consider
Accumulation- the process of gathering together and increasing in amount over a period of time.
Encarta Dictionary (English North America).
Bio degradable - capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action
of living things (as microorganisms) <biodegradable trash bag. http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/biodegradable
Decomposition- to break something down into smaller or simpler parts, or be broken down in
this way. Encarta Dictionary (English North America).
De-grade- to lower in grade, rank, or status : demote b: to strip of rank or honors c: to lower to
an inferior or less effective. www.merrium-webster.com
Downcycling- recycling of a material into a material of lesser quality. The obvious example is
the recycling of plastics, which turns them into lower grade plastics.
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/green-glossary-downcycling.html
Environment- the natural world, especially when it is regarded as being at risk from the harmful
influences of human activities. Encarta Dictionary (English North America).
Fluff - Once household garbage has been delivered to a WastAway facility, the household waste
is recycled by WastAway’s proprietary system of grinders shredders and pressurized heat.
Twenty-minutes later, the household waste is transformed into a clean, stable raw material called
Fluff®. http://www.wastaway.com/faq.html
Fossil Fuels – coal, oil and natural gas -- provide more than 85% of all the energy used in the
United States. http://www.energy.gov/energysources/fossilfuels.htm
Mixed plastics- Mixed plastics are a highly visible part of the waste and recycling landscape
and an area of growing importance.
http://www.wrap.org.uk/recycling_industry/information_by_material/plastics/mixed_plastics.ht
ml
Non-renewable - Energy sources are of two types: nonrenewable and renewable. Energy sources
are considered nonrenewable if they cannot be replenished (made again) in a short period of
time. http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=nonrenewable_home-basics-k.cfm
Nurdle- those little plastic pellets you find washed up on the beach after they've gotten lost on
the way to factory where they make plastic water bottles that you buy instead of drinking tap
water. They're also found in the bellies of poor sea-life that mistake them for food. And they're
plastic, so they don't break down. There's more nurdles in the ocean than plankton.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nurdle
Phthalates- a chemical compound used as a plastic softener and in many personal grooming
products. It is reported to be a possible cause of reproductive or developmental problems because
it mimics a natural hormone. . Encarta Dictionary (English North America).
Petroleum- crude oil that occurs naturally in sedimentary rocks and consists mainly of
hydrocarbons. A wide variety of commercially important petrochemicals, including gasoline and
kerosene, are derived from it. Encarta Dictionary (English North America). The most familiar
types of petroleum are tar, oil, and natural gas. http://www.enotes.com/earth-science/petroleum
Plankton- a mass of tiny animals and plants floating in the sea or in lakes, usually near the
surface, and eaten by fish and other water animals. Encarta Dictionary (English North
America).
Plastic – Synthetic material an extremely versatile synthetic material made from the
polymerization of organic compounds. It can be molded into shapes or fabricated in many
different forms for use in commerce and industry. Encarta Dictionary (English North America).
Polymer- a natural or synthetic compound that consists of large molecules made of many
chemically bonded smaller identical molecules, e.g. starch and nylon. Encarta Dictionary
(English North America).
Renewable- renewable energy sources such as solar and wind can be replenished naturally.
http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=nonrenewable_home-basics-k.cfm
Toxic - relating to or containing a poison or toxin, deadly causing serious harm or death. Encarta
Dictionary (English North America).
More to come…
Problems:
Plastics are made from petroleum products
Every piece of plastic ever made still exists, unless incinerated
No organism on earth can de-grade plastic
Plastic accumulation in oceans
Fish mistake nurdles for fish eggs.
Dangers to other marine life
Plastics cannot degrade in land fills
Mixed plastics are difficult to separatein recycling centers
Plastics in Our Oceans- http://www.whoi.edu/science/B/people/kamaral/plasticsarticle.html
Plastic Breaks Down in Ocean, After All -- And Fasthttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/08/090820-plastic-decomposes-oceans-seas.html
Possible Solutions— what are we doing about the disposability of plastics??
WastAway- Our goal for the planet: Zero Landfill Growth. WastAway takes something the
world doesn’t want and converts it into something the world can use.
http://www.wastaway.com/index.html
Picture courtesy http://www.wastaway.com/green_energy.html
Axiom international
In addition to our Composite Railroad Ties, Axion International, Inc. manufactures the world's
strongest, industrial grade, 100% recycled plastic building materials. Axion is leading a
revolution with the potential to change the way infrastructure is engineered and installed.
Axion's eco-friendly, next-generation building materials represent an entirely new
approach.Our patented processes, developed in conjunction with scientists at Rutgers
University, transform recycled consumer and industrial plastics into a myriad of structural
products that are ideal replacements for traditional materials made from wood, steel or concrete.
From girders, pilings and railroad ties to bridge substructures, Axion's American-made products
are ideally suited to a broad array of applications.
People around the world are demanding clean, non-toxic alternative building supplies and
methods. Axion's cost effective solutions are formulated using up to 100% recycled plastic and
no chemical additives. And compared to traditional building materials like wood, steel or
concrete, Axion's products are extremely cost competitive, feature longer life cycles and lower
maintenance costs. Axion's long-lasting, durable products simply outperform traditional
materials: they won't rust, splinter, crumble, rot, absorb moisture or leach toxic chemicals into
the environment. Our materials are completely impervious to infestation by insects, marine
borers and other marine parasites and resist creep, graffiti, fading and ultraviolet degradation.
http://www.axionintl.com/about.html
DANISH INVENTION COULD BOOST PLASTIC RECYCLING
A Jutland-based company has invented a method to separate various types of plastic so they can
be recycled instead of combusted. To read more.
http://www.gknewyork.um.dk/en/servicemenu/News/Danish+Invention+could+Boost+Plastic+R
ecycling.htm
Northwest Ag plastics Inc.
Northwest Ag Plastics, Inc. is contracted to collect and granulate plastic pesticide containers
for the agricultural industry in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. “Recycles a product for a
second life, increases grower environmental awareness, saves growers the costs of landfill
tipping fees” Mark Nedrow, Former Employee of Yakima County Solid Waste.
http://www.nwagplastics.com/index.php
Cool Blue
Pyronics
Saint Stephen’s Middle School is committed to helping students develop into knowledgeable,
responsible, respectful, global citizens. Retrieved from
www.unesco.org/education/pdf/333_49.pdf - France
AIM
To provide a developmentally appropriate environment for young adolescents that challenges
each individual to his/her highest potential by achieving levels of knowledge and skills essential
to becoming advocates for a cleaner, healthier environment.
Materials
Evaluations
Goals
Objectives
1. Students will
Understanding the
compare the
World
decomposition rates
Students will evaluate of non-biodegradable
products and
and biodegradable
determine their effect products for the
on the global
purpose of...
environment.
2. Students will
develop and inquire
about their own topic
to determine how the
products we use affect
global conditions.
Understanding
Myself
Students will evaluate
how their own habits
contribute to global
environmental
conditions
Understanding
People
Students will evaluate
the ways in which
individuals are
affected by global
environmental
conditions.
Taking Action
Students will
synthesize their new
learning in order to
become advocates.
Students will analyze
current conservation
practices and their
effect on future
renewables and nonrenewable resources
(Refuse, Reuse,
Reduce, and Recycle).
Students will develop
opportunities for
continuous
involvement between
the students and the
community
1. Student will
become aware of the
importance of
protecting the
environment, and the
crucial role of a clean
environment in
achieving human
dignity and
sustainable economic
development.
2. Students will
understand their vital
role in spreading the
culture of clean
environment.
CONCEPT
Recycling Plastic Bag
BASIC IDEAS
 Plastic bags and packaging account for
a major part of our waste in landfills
 Plastics are not biodegradable means
that the plastic bags in circulation and
future production of plastic bags will
Source:
stay with us for a long time
http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/capp/capp Plastic bags are made from a nonbackground-info.html
renewable natural resource: petroleum
Source: http://plasticbaglaws.org/legislation/
 Plastic Bag Bans : outlaws all
single-use plastic carryout bags,
usually places fee on paper.
 Single-Use Bag Fee: places a fee on
all single-use bags (plastic and
paper).
 Plastic Bag Fee: places a fee on all
single-use plastic bags, sets
standards for paper.
 Mandatory Recycling: requires
grocery stores to accept used plastic
bags for recycling. (Usually
sponsored by the plastics industry.)
 Voluntary Programs: public
education and non-binding “best
practices” for stores.
Environmental Affects

Proposed Legislation
Most plastic bags end up in our seas,
lakes, and rivers-causing bad effects
on wildlife. (World Wildlife Fund
Report 2005


Proposed Legislation
: outlaws all single-use plastic carryout bags, usually places fee on paper.
Single-Use Bag Fee: places a fee on all single-use bags (plastic and paper).
Plastic Bag Fee: places a fee on all single-use plastic bags, sets standards for paper.
Mandatory Recycling: requires grocery stores to accept used plastic bags for recycling.
(Usually sponsored by the plastics industry.)
Voluntary Programs: public education and non-binding “best practices” for stores.
Source: http://plasticbaglaws.org/legislation/
June 28, 2011
CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND ITS PARTNERS LAUNCH “CHANGE IS IN THE BAG”
CAMPAIGN
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The City of San Antonio in conjunction with its five area retail partners
H-E-B, jcpenney, Target, Walgreens and Walmart along with Keep San Antonio Beautiful and
the Texas Retailers Association launched the “Change Is In The Bag” campaign today to
encourage San Antonians to increase the use of reusable bags, reduce the amount of plastic bags
used, and increase the amount of plastic bags recycled. Courtesy of
http://changeisinthebag.org/index.html
City of San Antonio plastic bag recycling program states: It is very important that San Antonians
DO NOT toss their plastic bags in the blue recycle bins at their house. This leads to a variety of
problems at the recycling center which is better set up for the recycling of aluminum cans, plastic
bottles, paper,etc. Instead, Change is in the Bag urges people to take their plastic bags to the
participating retailers listed above for proper recycling. Courtesy of
http://changeisinthebag.org/index.html
Retailer
How many paper/plastic bags are used in the US each year?
How long does it take a paper/plastic bag to disintegrate in a landfill?
What raw materials are used to manufacture paper/plastic bags?
Using one paper/plastic bag is equal to what?
What is the cost environmentally (air pollution, water pollution, energy cost to bring the product
to stores)?
What can be done to limit paper/plastic bag use?
What ate some countries or US states doing about paper/plastic bag use?
I have been awakened to the fact how the latent curriculum affects everyone, and how it can be
good and bad. Some examples I have experienced would be in the early grades are how the
rules are taught to students. This is really where most students begin to learn about what living
in a democratic society means. In Dewey’s creed “the teachers place and work is interpreted
from this same basis. The teacher is not in the school to impose certain ideas or to form certain
habits in the child, but is there as a member of the community to select the influences which
shall affect the child and to assist him in properly responding to these influences” (p.37). As
Dena pointed out that parents are their first teachers, and major brain development happens in
the first three years of life. So, when the family lack the ability to support the child it magnifies
the problem and as Joni responded, it shifts the responsibility to the schools and the community.
I truly believe that rules, routines, and structure are very important in the early grades,
especially when stability is lacking at home. As David pointed out morals, values, and discipline
are taught and these are all part of the hidden curriculum that may be lacking in some schools.
We may never be able to create a truly democratic classroom, but we can strive to give the
power back to the children. Unfortunately, by the time they get to the middle school they are
much influenced by so many different habits and ideas, it makes the work of the teacher more
challenging.
http://cmapspublic2.ihmc.us/rid=1G8F10BD0-3Z7QN3DF6/Developing%20Self%20and%20Spirit%20Number%202.cmap.