the 3 rs - focus on tires

The 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Focus on Tires)

Grade 3 Physical Science – Structures and Materials (SM)

Outcomes:

SM3.1 Investigate properties of materials and methods of joinery used in structures.
SM3.2 Assess the function and characteristics of strong, stable, and balanced natural and human-built structures.

Lesson 1: The 3R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Instructional Procedures:

1. Show the students the “mobius loop” (on a PDF sheet; or as a JPEG image); (the recycling symbol with three arrows in a triangle).  Ask students what they know about the symbol (it represents a closed loop for the recycling system.  As materials, such as paper, are manufactured, they enter the loop.  People use the paper and then, for the loop to continue, the paper must be recycled into a new product and people must choose to buy and use that product).
2. Ask the students to name the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle).
3. Ask students to explain what recycling means.  When something is recycled it goes through a change in state.  For example, an aluminum can is melted down and then formed into a new can.  A tire is shredded and then made into new rubber products.
4. Recycling is important for a variety of reasons. 
   1. It keeps materials out of the landfill.  Many materials put in the landfill break down slowly over time and chemicals leach (drain) from them into the earth and water.  These chemicals can be dangerous to both animals and humans.
   2. It allows materials to be reused, instead of harvesting new materials for each new product.
   3. Recycling materials takes less energy and resources than making the items from new material.
5. Everyone knows about recycling, but reducing and reusing are equally important.  These options mean even fewer resources need to be harvested.
6. Have students brainstorm ways that they can reduce and reuse.  One way to reduce is to bring your own shopping bag, thus reducing the number of plastic bags being used. Can students think of other ways we can reduce (e.g. buy less, choose items with less packaging, better quality, longer lasting)? Reusing means using an item for other purposes before it is recycled or thrown away (e.g. using an empty chip tube to hold pens and pencils, or reusing old clothing as rags or donating the items that can be used by someone else). For additional ideas on how to reduce and reuse at home or at school, go to: http://www.saskwastereduction.ca/wastereductionweek/wrw-index.html
7. Have students make posters depicting the 3Rs and their meanings.  If your school has a recycling program in place, posters can be used to promote or explain the program.

Lesson 2: Focus on Tires

Instructional Procedures:

1. Review the 3Rs with the students. (Reduce, reuse, recycle)
2. Show the students a photo of a tire (on a PDF sheet or as a JPEG image) and ask them what kind of material they think it is made of. (Mainly rubber, with some metal and fibre) 
3. Saskatchewan has over 1 million scrap tires per year.  They are kept out of the landfill by a provincial recycling program that collects old tires when you buy new ones. This program is run by the Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation (SSTC) (see http://www.scraptire.sk.ca).
4. We are charged an environmental fee for every tire we buy.  Why do you think that the fee is charged? (It is to cover the costs of collecting and recycling the tires, such as transportation).
5. What do the students think happens to the tires once they reach the recycling depot?  The tires are shredded and chipped into small bits that can be used for a variety of things like road surfacing or as playground surfaces.  Students may like to discover this on their own at http://www.scraptire.sk.ca or refer to the following chart:

 See the Teacher Reference sheet for more information on how tires are made and recycled.

Printable PDF version including pics and teacher reference sheet

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3Rs Focus on Tires

• Teacher Resource Sheet
• Tire and Mobius Loop pictures
  • PDF with both
  • Tire JPEG
  • Mobius Loop JPEG
• Link to Scrap Tire website
• Link to Sask. Waste Reduction Council's Waste Reduction Week website

 Printable PDF version including pics and Teacher Resource sheet