Free Environmental Curricula from the SPI Film & Bag Federation

While we all can appreciate the need to make the world a better place, educators are in a unique position to help students really learn how to do that.

For example, take the Environmental 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. They all are methods of conserving resources. However, the most important lessons we can teach our children is this: It's better not to create waste in the first place than to have to figure out what to do with it later. Ben Franklin put it best when he said: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

On this page, educators can find curricula for students at various stages of their primary and secondary school experience:

• "Don't Let a Good Thing Go to Waste" is a solid-waste education program for pupils in grades 2-5. This lesson plan includes puzzles and games to keep youngsters interested and entertained while learning.
• "An Ounce of Prevention" (with pie charts)and its companion exercise, "Life of a Hamburger,"(with chart) provide a middle-level science curriculum on source reduction. With activities that include an imaginary "Survivor" experience, this activity promotes teamwork along with learning.
• "Earth Master" is a short, three-day exercise that addresses the "3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and allows students to use their knowledge and artistic skills to "save the planet".

If you are an educator, we hope you find these materials of use and benefit. If you are a member of the plastics industry or a concerned citizen, we encourage you to let your local teachers know that these lesson plans are available to help them teach tomorrow's leaders the value of waste prevention and respect for the environment.

For additional information on environmental issues and the plastics film and bag industry, visit FBF on the Web at www.plasticbag.com/environmental/issues.html.

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