Lesson Plan - The Truth About Recycling Plastic

Build Background Knowledge

Before reading the article, have students take the five-question Prereading Quiz at junior.scholastic.com. The interactive quiz is self-scoring and will provide an explanation as students answer each question.

Read the Article

Read the article aloud or have students read it independently or in pairs. As students read, direct them to jot down the central idea of each section.

Answer Close-Reading Questions

Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.

• About how much plastic waste in the U.S. is actually recycled? What are some of the challenges of recycling plastic? (Central Ideas)
About 9 percent of plastic waste was successfully recycled in 2018, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. One challenge of recycling plastic is that the process is complicated because the many types of plastic have to be sorted, cleaned, and melted down. Another challenge is that many types of plastic can’t be recycled at most facilities, and sending the plastic to landfills or burning it can be less expensive.

• How are people trying to improve recycling practices and reduce plastic waste? (Key Details)
People are trying to improve recycling practices by researching ways to make the recycling process easier. To help reduce plastic waste, some states and cities have banned single-use plastic shopping bags, and some businesses have stopped offering plastic straws. Also, many individuals have started using reusable water bottles.

• Summarize the section “Life-Changing Material.” (Summarizing)
Americans started using a lot of plastic around World War II, in the 1940s, when the material was used for planes and other military supplies. Plastic is made from fossil fuels, is inexpensive to produce, and the lightweight material can last a long time. After the war, companies promoted plastic items as a way to make life more convenient. Today, the average person in the U.S. discards more than 100 pounds of single-use plastic each year. While durable plastic goods like helmets can save lives, single-use plastic waste like water bottles can harm the environment. It often ends up in nature, where it can release harmful chemicals and kill animals.

• When and why did the plastics industry start pushing recycling initiatives? (Delineate Claims)
The plastics industry started pushing recycling initiatives in the 1970s and ’80s in response to criticism from environmental activists. Companies wanted people to feel better about using plastic products, so they advertised recycling as an effective solution even though they knew it wouldn’t make much of a difference.

• How has China’s ban on importing most plastic waste affected recycling in the U.S.? (Cause and Effect)
China’s ban on importing most plastic waste has affected recycling in the U.S. by forcing many cities and states to reduce or end their recycling programs because they have nowhere to send the plastic. For instance, people in Oregon can no longer recycle items like yogurt containers and milk jugs.

• Reread the sidebar “5 Ways You Can Help Reduce Plastic Waste.” Which do you think seems most effective? Why? (Evaluating Ideas)
Sample response: I think the most effective way to reduce plastic waste is by putting pressure on businesses, because that can have a larger impact. While individual actions like avoiding plastic water bottles, bags, and straws can add up, businesses can make changes that reduce the amount of plastic produced in the first place. Those changes can reduce more waste than those made by any one person.

Watch a Video

As students watch “The Problem With Plastics,” ask them to think about which facts and statistics are most significant. Then have them watch the video a second time and take notes about at least three facts or statistics they think are most significant. Use Think-Pair-Share to have students discuss one of the details they selected.

Analyze Graphs

Assign the Skill Builder Graph Reading: Recycling by the Numbers to have students answer 10 questions about the circle and bar graphs in the article. Review answers and correct any misunderstandings.

Write an Argument

Guide students to respond to the “Write About It!” prompt at the end of the article. You can start by brainstorming reasons or evidence as a class. Help students cite evidence properly. After students write their arguments, you might encourage them to share their writing with families, businesses, or a local news organization.

Assess Comprehension

Assign the 10-question Know the News quiz, available in PDF and interactive forms. You can also use Quiz Wizard to assess comprehension of this article and three others from the issue.