Explore recycling and reuse with children this National Recycling Week

Educators can explore packaging, paper and everyday waste with children during National Recycling Week running from 9–15 November. Planet Ark’s free education resources include early learning experiences that help children investigate what can be reused and what belongs in the recycling bin.

This year’s Join the Cycle theme encourages communities to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. The Schools Recycle Right collection supports participation through lesson plans, activities and guides covering different age groups, including early childhood education and care (ECEC).  

Despite the program’s schools focus, educators can access a dedicated early learning unit developed with Planet Ark. Its experiences draw on materials children encounter regularly, connecting recycling with their meals, play and use of paper.

Early learning activities explore what happens to waste

The early learning unit developed by Cool.org with Planet Ark examines food packaging and ways to reduce the amount sent to landfill. Younger children investigate different packaging materials and how to dispose of them, while older children group items and consider whether they could be used again.

Paper and cardboard are another focus, with experiences examining where these materials come from. Children can also experiment with reducing paper use and recycling paper products.  

These experiences could connect with an interest already underway with children, such as collecting boxes for construction or making books. Exploring which materials children want to keep, and why, gives educators opportunities to extend the conversation about reuse.

Children’s ideas can shape everyday routines

National Recycling Week also offers an opportunity to involve children in decisions about how materials are collected and used. Their suggestions could inform picture labels for bins, storage for reusable materials or ways to save unfinished work.

ACECQA’s guidance on sustainability in the Early Years Learning Framework recognises children’s capacity to contribute to change. It encourages educators to support children’s participation in decisions and consider sustainability across the educational program and service operations.  

Revisiting children’s suggestions after the week can help teams decide what to continue or adjust in weekly programs. Children can see whether their ideas have made materials easier to reuse or helped others understand where items belong.

Explore Planet Ark’s educator resources and the early learning unit on reducing waste.