Activity 2.2 - Resolubility of plastics and different materials in the soil

Learning Aims:
    • get pupils interested in waste-related issues,
    • discuss the issue of produced waste from environmental point of view,
    • look for possibilities of waste disposal,
    • think about resolubility of waste,
    • try to understand the significance of recycling as the only and effective alternative of waste disposal.
      Materials:
      • one worksheet per group
      Suggestions for use:

      At the beginning, the teacher gets pupils interested by asking problem-based questions. The teacher states a problem and tries to get all pupils involved. In the following stage, pupils become part of the investigation. Pupils work in groups and use worksheets - they gather information, ask questions, formulate hypotheses without teacher‘s direct instructions.

      Solutions that can be found on the Internet:

      Examples of doing the task

      Waste is ranked from the shortest time of decomposition to the longest. Next to each type of waste there are also products made of the plastic in question.

      1) Apple core depending on temperature and weather condition decomposes for several weeks.

      2) Newspaper and magazines represent the component of municipal waste that is separated in the present. They are decomposed in the nature within several months. Weather also plays a role influencing their decomposition time. Separation of paper saves primary raw materials – wood, does not pollute the air and saves energy. Paper packages for packing products and food that we come across in retail chains are made of separated paper. Toilet paper and card paper that do not require high quality to function are also made.

      3) Aluminium tins that represent a considerable part of packaging material mostly in drinks mean danger to nature. Tins dropped on the ground in the country decompose for about 20–100 years. During the time of decomposition animals or people looking for relaxation in the country can be injured. The material from which package is made can cause cuts that can lead to pain and infections. Aluminium tins are suitable for recycling.

      4) Battery (accumulator) – decomposition of a battery in the environment takes 200–500 years.

      5) Rubber tyre of a car represents a burden for the environment for about 265 years.

      6) PET bottles and plastic sacks we cannot imagine products in department stores without take about 500 years to decompose in the environment.

      7) Glass belongs to material that can be recycled very well and by throwing it away in the country we cause load for as long as 4000 years until it is decomposed.
      Possible questions: