ENVIRONMENT

The theme for World Environment Day is “Beat Plastic Pollution.” We can get you started with these family-friendly tips. (National Geographic)

Planet or plastic? Use our resources to help make the decision, and take the plastic pledge.

Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit.

Discussion Ideas

• 1. Straws Suck: Help your kids swap out the disposable straws by allowing them to choose a colorful, reusable straw.
  • What are alternatives to single-use plastic drinking straws?
  • Take it to school: Have your school join the One Less Straw campaign, and see how kids are helping drive the movement.

• 2. Keep It in a Cone: At the ice-cream shop, always choose an edible cone over a cup with a plastic spoon.
  • What other hand-held snacks (or beverages) use unnecessary plastics?
  • Take it to school: Help students discover the murky, delicious history of the ice cream cone.

• 3. A Better Birthday Bag: As birthdays approach, rethink the throwaway goodies in goodie bags.
  • What do students put in their goodie bags? What are alternatives to disposable plastic toys?
  • Take it to school: Use our activity to help students understand ocean currents by mapping the movement of a typical goodie bag tchotchke—disposable rubber ducks.

• 4. That’s a Wrap: When your kids want something, help them brainstorm ways to avoid the excess plastic packaging.
  • Have your students make a list the next time they visit their local supermarket or convenience store. What items have unnecessary plastic packaging?
  • Take it to school: “Skip the bag, save the sea” with one educator’s Geo-Inquiry project.

• 5. A Leaner Lunch: Instead of packing your kids’ sandwiches in plastic bags, reach for reusable wrappers.
  • What snack foods use the least amount of packaging?
  • Take it to school: Do students think junk foods or over-packaged foods should have higher taxes?

• 6. Don’t Float Away: If you’re planning a trip to the beach, make sure those plastic pails, beach balls, and inflatable flamingoes don’t float out to sea.
  • Where do your students think ocean trash ends up?
  • Take it to school: What are some remedies to cleaning up the ocean’s garbage patches? (How about not cleaning them up?!)

• 7. Recycle Right: Learn what your local recycling plant is able to accept, then make it a priority to separate your waste at home.
  • What items do your students recycle? Do you have a recycling program at your school?
  • Take it to school: Get some ideas for how you can “go green” in your home, school, or community.

• 8. Ban the Bottle: Look for plastic bottles in your home that can be nixed.
  • Have students survey their home, classroom, or community center. What microplastics might they be able to eliminate?
  • Take it to school: Use a weeklong curriculum to engage students in reusing, recycling, and reducing.

• 9. Buy in Bulk: Purchase items like popcorn kernels, cereal, and pasta in bulk to cut down on packaging waste, then pull out your tote bag to take it all home.
  • What items can be bought in bulk from your local supermarket?
  • Take it to school: Learn how edible six-pack rings are combatting plastic pollution.

• 10. Trash Troopers: If you find yourself with a free Saturday, grab the kids and join a community cleanup.
  • Check with local community organizations to see if there’s a beach, river, or neighborhood clean-up planned—and join it!
  • Take it to school: Use our handy guide to help students organize their own neighborhood cleanup!

TEACHERS TOOLKIT

Nat Geo: Reducing Plastic as a Family Is Easy. Here’s How.

Nat Geo: Ocean Plastics resources

Nat Geo: Take the Plastic Pledge

Nat Geo: Clean It Up

Nat Geo: Skip the Bag, Save the Sea

Nat Geo: What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

Nat Geo: Going Green