We spend over a decade listening to them. They teach us everything from basic mathematics and reading skills to complex chemical equations and historical event. They not only explain the world around us but they also the champion of garbage and recycling. Teachers and paraprofessionals are garbage men too. Did you realize that a good portion of their work is teaching future generations how to reduce, reuse, and recycle? Teachers these days have to make the most of every supply they have and even manage to find creative ways of reusing old supplies in creative ways. School teachers use everything from bottle caps to teach basic principles from counting to making artistic creations out of toilet paper rolls. Their ability to salvage item that would normally be tossed out in every other household and use them as instruments of learning is awe-inspiring.
Teacher Resources
Want to help start teaching someone else about recycling? Recycle America has some links that can help those interested in talking to students, family members, or even city council chairmen about the benefits of recycling.
For Kids:
- The History of the Garbage Man [Video]
An exciting story to watch and learn! View this fun video online. - EPA’s Environmental Kids Club
Learn how to protect our environment (air, water, garbage & recycling, etc.) using interactive games such as EPA’s Office of Solid Waste Planet Protectors club for kids. - Earth911.org Education
Pick grade level activities that are made just for you. - Where does all the trash go?
Ever wonder where all the trash goes…? Go here and find out! - Waste and Recycling Workers Week Coloring Book
Fun learning tool for kids about the men and women who work to keep our environments safe and clean.
For Students:
- EPA’s Student Center
Everything about the environment from A to Z. - Earth911.org Education
Pick grade level activities that are made just for you.
For Teachers:
- EPA’s Teaching Center
Plenty of teacher resources all environmental subjects from air to water. - Earth911.org Education
Teacher resources with lesson plans. - EPA’s Office of Solid Waste, Teacher Resources and Tools
For Researchers:
- EPA’s Researchers and Scientist Center
This page gives access to scientific information that may be useful in understanding and protecting our environment.
Additional Recycling Sites:
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
EPA’s national effort to conserve natural resources. - National Recycling Coalition
National Membership organization dedicated to maximizing recycling. - SWANA
Solid Waste Association of North America. - Plasticsresource.com
Information on Plastics & the Environment. - America Recycles Day
Your attitude, your actions, can make a world of difference! - AmericanPlasticsCouncil.org
Plastics and plastics recycling information. - National Parks and Conservation Association
Explore the National Parks and learn about conservation. - National PET Plastic Association (NAPCOR)
Learn about PET bottle recycling. - Earth911.org
Locate local recyclers by zip code. - Curbside Value Partnership
Learn about curbside recycling. - Glass Recycling
Learn about glass recycling.
You may not even realize it but while they are recycling, they are teaching the next generation to recycle as well. Teachers are the pinnacle of educating youth to save our resources and selectively throw things away. From the classroom to homework, teachers are on the front lines of ensuring the importance of keeping our planet from becoming one big landfill. What teachers do in the classrooms spills over to their students at home; one teacher showing their classroom of eager learners the importance of repurposing items helps the community and the world as a whole. So when you send your kids off to school, rest assure that their teachers are the superstar role models of the garbage man world and they are educating our future to be just as conscious.