New
New
Waste and recycling
I can explain how to use resources more sustainably and reduce waste.
Lesson 7 of 7
New
New
- Year 7
Waste and recycling
I can explain how to use resources more sustainably and reduce waste.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Waste is often sent to incinerators or landfill sites, which are sources of greenhouse gases.
- Reuse, reduce, recycle is what we can do to minimise waste.
- Sustainable use of resources helps ensure that they are available for future generations.
Keywords
Landfill - the disposal of waste by burying it
Waste incinerator - a furnace that burns waste, often to generate electricity
Recycle - to convert waste material into new products
Sustainable resource - a resource that can be maintained at a certain level for as long as is needed
Common misconception
Recycling is the most effective way reducing the amount of waste we throw away.
Highlight the understanding that reusing and reducing what is used is more effective and that recycling should be seen as a last resort. Repairing and repurposing can also help to reduce waste.
Task B provides parallels with pupils home lives, although domestic waste is just 14% of total waste (UK Government stats, 2022), and changes made by larger organisations or to laws are more consequential. It may be appropriate to discuss how political activity can be used to help bring these about.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the best description of a natural resource?
What is the best description of a natural resource?
one that is not a bright colour
one that is found underground
one that is found in plants or animals
Q2.What is a renewable resource?
What is a renewable resource?
one that is replenished at the same speed that it is used up
one that is replenished slower than it is used up
Q3.Which of these are natural resources?
Which of these are natural resources?
concrete
mobile phone
Q4.Which of these resources are renewable?
Which of these resources are renewable?
natural gas
petrol
Q5.How do we use a resource sustainably?
How do we use a resource sustainably?
replenish it less quickly than it is used up
replenish it before it is used up
Q6.Why are different types of waste collected in different bins?
Why are different types of waste collected in different bins?
to reduce the amount of waste
to help identify things to reuse
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is waste that is buried called?
What is waste that is buried called?
Q2.Which flammable gas is often given off by decomposing buried waste?
Which flammable gas is often given off by decomposing buried waste?
carbon dioxide (CO₂)
hydrogen (H₂)
oxygen (O₂)
Q3.What type of waste does a waste incinerator burn?
What type of waste does a waste incinerator burn?
all waste
recycled card and paper
recycled garden waste
recycled plastic
Q4.What is the main greenhouse gas given off when waste is burned?
What is the main greenhouse gas given off when waste is burned?
hydrogen
methane
oxygen
Q5.Which of these does not reduce the quantity of new materials we need?
Which of these does not reduce the quantity of new materials we need?
reducing
recycling
reusing
Q6.Why is it more sustainable to use a plastic box to keep sandwiches fresh compared to wrapping them in plastic film?
Why is it more sustainable to use a plastic box to keep sandwiches fresh compared to wrapping them in plastic film?
it stops them getting squashed
it is more airtight
it can be recycled each day
