Summary

Recycling Waste Audit Teacher Guide

This recycling waste audit teacher guide gives you the step-by-step structure needed to run a safe, meaningful school recycling audit with minimal prep. It explains how recycling contamination affects costs and recycling outcomes, then walks you through launching the project, managing a week of student data collection, and guiding analysis and reflection.

What the guide includes

• Background context on recycling contamination and why standards are strict
• A clear timeline for launch, audit week, and analysis days
• Student objectives and team-based procedures
• Materials list and setup guidance for sorting and weighing
• Safety protocols, including what to do if hazardous items are found
• Tips for coordinating with custodial staff and handling disposal after sorting

How teachers typically use it

• Read once to plan the week and communicate with school staff
• Use the launch-day discussion to introduce contamination benchmarks and student predictions
• Use the class compilation chart to compare contamination by location and identify patterns
• Guide students into evidence-based recommendations and the principal letter action plan

This resource is meant as part of the Recycling Waste Audit Lesson.