This document provides instructions for children on how to do recycling-themed crafts and activities using recycled materials. It includes directions for making snow globes from jars and figurines, bottle cap tambourines from sticks and bottle caps, and compost bins from plastic bottles. The document also provides a brief description of how to use recycled t-shirts to create painted designs that are resistant to dye. The crafts are intended to teach children about reducing waste and reusing materials.

1. Recycling Ages: 7-8 Introduction Hi kids and welcome this recycling web quest we hope you enjoy it. Once you start you will meet our special friend who has came along to help you out! Teacher’s Page

2. Teacher’s Page Back

3. Introduction Hi kids, my name is Recycling Rob and in this webquest we will exploring the world of RECYCLING. During each step we will: Learn what gets recycled Identify how recycling helps the environment Discover what you can do to recycle Back

4. TASK – Instructions Start your journey by carefully reading these instructions Read each step carefully Complete all questions Follow the links Once you’re ready to move on click the next button If you need to go back, just click the back button Ok kids lets begin! All you have to do is click on the START button! Back

5. If you need help just find me on the page and read my handy hint! Most of all make sure you have lots of fun! I have a question to ask you. What can you do to help reduce waste in your town?

6. What gets Recycled? Have you used any of the following objects today? Did you know that everything here can be recycled? Click on the pictures below to find out an interesting fact. Back

7. Plastic Bags, Bottles and Containers Things made of plastic which are thrown into the ocean, can kill up to 1 million sea creatures every year. We throw away 25 million plastic bottles every hour. Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as burning it Recycled plastic is used to make toys and stuffing for ski jackets. Back

8. Glass Bottles and Jars Each month enough glass bottles and jars are thrown out to be able to fill a sky scraper. The energy that is saved from recycling a glass bottle can power a light bulb for up to 4 hours. A glass bottle would take 4 thousand years to break down (decompose). Back

9. Aluminium and Steel Cans There is no limit to the amount of times that soft drink cans can be recycled and reused. 5 billion aluminium cans are used each year in Australia. Recycling 1 aluminium can provides enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours. After a can has been recycled it is possible for it to become part of a new car within 6 weeks. Back

10. Paper and Cardboard To make the Sunday newspaper each week 500 thousand trees must be cut down. If we recycled all newspapers we would save around 250 million trees each year. The average home can throw out 13 thousand pieces of paper each year, most of this is junk mail (catalogues). The paper and wood which we throw out each year could heat 50 million homes for 20 years. Back

11. What gets Recycled? Now that you know about what gets recycled, have a go at playing this game by clicking the link below. http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/shtml.cgi?A1=../recycle/index.html See if you can clean up the park and beat my score of 280! Back

12. How recycling helps? Recycling saves trees – by reducing the amount of trees cut down to make paper. Recycling protects wildlife habitats and biodiversity – by minimising the need to clear rainforests, wetlands and other natural habitats. Recycling lowers the use of toxic chemicals – as higher levels of chemicals are not needed when using recycled items. Recycling helps curb global warming – Using recycled materials cuts down on the energy and air pollution that comes from the factories to make new materials.

13. How recycling helps? Recycling reduces water pollution – by reducing the amount of waste that gets dumped into the rivers, lakes and streams. Recycling reduces the need for landfills – by reducing the massive amount of waste that people produce each day. Recycling reduces the need for incinerators – By cutting down the waste that needs to be burnt. Recycling makes more jobs and increases economic development - by providing more opportunities for people. Cities may make a profit by selling recyclables – By selling the items made after they recycled.

14. Quiz Time! It’s now time for the quiz, think back hard at what we’ve learnt to help you answer the questions. Click the START button to begin! GOOD LUCK!

15. Fun Actviities Snow Globes Compost Bin Bottle-cap Tambourines Make something new out of Recycled things Make a new T-shirt

16. Snow Globes Materials: jars with tight-fitting lids plastic or ceramic figurines (houses, animals, etc.) that will fit in the jars. oil-based enamel paint in holiday colors Paintbrushes Baby oil ("thicken“ water to make snow fall slower) sandpaper clear-drying, waterproof epoxy Water Glycerin white or silver glitter for "snow" (Crushed eggshells also work) Steps: Paint jar lids in holiday colors. Let dry well. Sand inside of jar lids to roughen up the surface. Wipe clean with damp cloth. Use clear epoxy to glue figurines to the inside of the jar lid. Let dry. Fill jar nearly to the top with water, and add a few pinches of white glitter for snow. Add a drop or two of glycerin to help snow swirl around and not fall too quickly. Be careful not to add too much glitter, or it will stick to the bottom of the jar when it is turned over. Carefully screw the lid on the jar. Shake up and enjoy.

17. Bottle-cap Tambourines MATERIALS: Strong, Y-shaped branch Dozen metal bottle caps Strong wire Acrylic paint brushes Assorted decorations; feathers, coloured cord, or beads Steps: Decorate the stick with paints and feathers. Remove the rubber liners from the bottle caps by having an adult "cook“ them for five minutes on a hot outdoor grill (this step is optional but recommended, as it greatly improves the sound). Flatten the caps with a hammer, then use a nail to punch a small hole in the centre of each cap. Then thread the caps onto the wire and string tightly between the arms of the Y.

18. Compost Bin Material: Recycled two-liter bottle Black paint Sharp knife Nail to punch holes Steps: Remove the label form the two-liter bottle by soaking the bottle in warm soapy water for a few minutes. Rinse and dry. Lay the bottle on its side and cut three sides of a rectangle 5 inches by three inches in the side of the bottle. Leave one 5-inch side attached to provide a "hinge". This door is for adding material to your compost bin and removing compost. A piece of duct tape will secure the "door" once you have filled the bottle with compost materials. Using any flat black paint, paint the outside of the bottle black and let rest to dry.

19. With an nail, punch holes in the bottle about 4 inches apart in all directions. Use half dry material and half wet. If you need to you can use shredded newspaper for the dry material. Wet materials include fresh grass clippings, veggies scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Spray the material with water until it is damp, but not soggy and secure the door shut with duct tape. Place the compost bin on a sunny windowsill. Check the compost every day for the first few days to make sure you have the correct amount of moisture.

20. Make an Old T-shirt New Material White T-shirt White glue Paintbrush Cold water dye Spray bottle Steps: Place several pieces of newspaper inside the T-shirt. Use glue, paint designs on one side of the shirt. Everywhere there is glue, dye will not stick to the shirt. Once the glue is dry, turn the shirt over and do it again. Mix the dye according to package directions, pour into the spray bottle. Hang the shirt outside, and spray with paint. Let the dye dry overnight, then rinse the shirt in cold water to remove glue. Some dye will also come out. To set the dye, wash in hot water. Let the shirt air dry.