Recycling Waste Audit

Recycling Waste Audit Project

This recycling waste audit project helps students investigate recycling contamination using real data from your school. Students work in teams to collect recycling bin contents, sort items into acceptable recyclables and contaminants, weigh each category, and calculate contamination percentage by weight. They then compare their results to industry benchmarks and propose practical strategies to reduce contamination at school.

Why teachers use it

• Builds systems thinking around waste, sorting rules, and real-world recycling constraints
• Strengthens data skills through measurement, percent calculations, and trend analysis
• Creates an authentic reason to write using evidence, including a letter to the principal

Suggested timeline

• 1 class: launch and training
• 1 week: audit in action (collection and sorting)
• 1 to 2 classes: analysis, reflection, and action plan writing

How to implement efficiently

• Coordinate with custodial staff first
• Confirm local recycling guidelines so sorting matches your municipality
• Assign roles so all students can participate, including non-handling options like recorder or analyst
• Use the class chart template to combine team results and discuss patterns across the school

For setup, timeline, and safety protocols, refer to the Teacher Guide.

For team roles, data tables, calculations, and writing prompts, refer to the Student Handout.