Polymers into a reduce reuse and recycle lesson plan

Question

How could you incorporate polymers into a reduce-reuse-recycle lesson plan? 

Answer 1

For this lesson plan, students will explore why plastics persist in the environment by comparing the degradation of biodegradable materials to synthetic polymers. Each student group will place small strips of paper and pieces of cut plastic into separate cups filled with vinegar or child-safe hydrogen peroxide. Over the course of the lesson, students will gently observe and record changes, noting how quickly the paper breaks down compared to the plastic. Through this hands-on activity, students will see firsthand the durability of polymers and the difficulty of breaking them down, even with chemical treatment. The experiment will be followed by a discussion connecting these observations to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principles, emphasizing that because plastics degrade so slowly, reducing and reusing them is critical to minimizing environmental impact. Students will also brainstorm practical ways to decrease plastic waste in daily life, reinforcing the connection between scientific understanding and sustainable behavior.