Our worldAges 7-9

Recycling, waste & caring for Earth

Practise the Three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), composting, water conservation and marine habitat care. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Age band:Ages 4-6 Ages 7-9

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9

Recycling, waste & caring for Earth

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Which of these materials can be recycled over and over again without losing its strength: an aluminium drink can or a greasy paper napkin?
Which of these materials c… · Recycling, waste & caring …
2. Why is writing or drawing on both sides of a sheet of paper a good environmental habit: it halves the amount of new paper needed from trees, or it makes the paper heavier?
Why is writing or drawing … · Recycling, waste & caring …
3. Why is buying a refillable water bottle better for the planet than buying a new disposable plastic bottle every day: one reusable bottle replaces hundreds of single-use plastic bottles each year, or disposable bottles are heavier?
Why is buying a refillable… · Recycling, waste & caring …
4. What type of light bulb uses much less electricity and lasts much longer than an old filament bulb: an LED bulb or a wax candle?
What type of light bulb us… · Recycling, waste & caring …
5. Which of these items belongs in a garden compost bin rather than the plastics bin: banana peels and dry leaves, or a glass bottle?
Which of these items belon… · Recycling, waste & caring …
6. Why is it important to keep beaches and park picnic areas free of litter: litter harms wildlife and washes into waterways and the sea, or litter helps grass grow?
Why is it important to kee… · Recycling, waste & caring …
7. How does planting trees in a community or along a shoreline help the environment: tree roots hold soil in place and leaves absorb carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen, or trees block the rain?
How does planting trees in… · Recycling, waste & caring …
8. What does the word “biodegradable” mean: capable of being broken down naturally by bacteria, fungi and other living decomposers, or made of steel?
“biodegradable” · Recycling, waste & caring …
9. What do we call a protected area of land or sea set aside by law so wild plants and animals can live safely without being hunted or destroyed: a nature reserve (marine park) or a factory?
What do we call a protecte… · Recycling, waste & caring …
10. Why do swimmers and snorkellers avoid standing on or touching live coral when visiting a reef: coral polyps are fragile living animals that are easily crushed or damaged, or coral is made of rubber?
Why do swimmers and snorke… · Recycling, waste & caring …
11. Instead of throwing out clothes or storybooks you have outgrown that are still in good condition, what is a sustainable choice: donate or pass them on to younger learners, or burn them?
Instead of throwing out cl… · Recycling, waste & caring …
12. What are the “Three Rs” that help us care for the environment and cut down on waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, or Run, Rest, Repeat?
“Three Rs” · Recycling, waste & caring …

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9

Recycling, waste & caring for Earth

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Which of these materials can be recycled over and over again without losing its strength: an aluminium drink can or a greasy paper napkin?
Aluminium drink can
Aluminium metal can be melted and recycled repeatedly using far less energy than mining new ore.
2. Why is writing or drawing on both sides of a sheet of paper a good environmental habit: it halves the amount of new paper needed from trees, or it makes the paper heavier?
It halves the amount of new paper needed from trees
Using both sides of every sheet reduces paper consumption and saves forest resources.
3. Why is buying a refillable water bottle better for the planet than buying a new disposable plastic bottle every day: one reusable bottle replaces hundreds of single-use plastic bottles each year, or disposable bottles are heavier?
One reusable bottle replaces hundreds of single-use plastic bottles each year
Refilling a durable bottle prevents plastic waste and saves the energy used to manufacture single-use bottles.
4. What type of light bulb uses much less electricity and lasts much longer than an old filament bulb: an LED bulb or a wax candle?
LED bulb
LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs convert most of their electrical energy into light rather than wasted heat.
5. Which of these items belongs in a garden compost bin rather than the plastics bin: banana peels and dry leaves, or a glass bottle?
Banana peels and dry leaves
Plant waste such as fruit peelings and leaves is biodegradable and decomposes into compost.
6. Why is it important to keep beaches and park picnic areas free of litter: litter harms wildlife and washes into waterways and the sea, or litter helps grass grow?
Litter harms wildlife and washes into waterways and the sea
Taking all rubbish home or using bins keeps land and marine ecosystems safe and clean.
7. How does planting trees in a community or along a shoreline help the environment: tree roots hold soil in place and leaves absorb carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen, or trees block the rain?
Tree roots hold soil in place and leaves absorb carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen
Trees prevent soil erosion, provide wildlife habitat, cool streets and absorb CO₂.
8. What does the word “biodegradable” mean: capable of being broken down naturally by bacteria, fungi and other living decomposers, or made of steel?
Capable of being broken down naturally by bacteria, fungi and other living decomposers
Biodegradable materials (such as paper, cotton and food scraps) decay safely back into nature.
9. What do we call a protected area of land or sea set aside by law so wild plants and animals can live safely without being hunted or destroyed: a nature reserve (marine park) or a factory?
Nature reserve (marine park)
Nature reserves and marine protected areas conserve biodiversity and sensitive habitats.
10. Why do swimmers and snorkellers avoid standing on or touching live coral when visiting a reef: coral polyps are fragile living animals that are easily crushed or damaged, or coral is made of rubber?
Coral polyps are fragile living animals that are easily crushed or damaged
Protecting coral reefs means floating calmly and never stepping on or breaking living coral.
11. Instead of throwing out clothes or storybooks you have outgrown that are still in good condition, what is a sustainable choice: donate or pass them on to younger learners, or burn them?
Donate or pass them on to younger learners
Sharing or donating good-quality books and clothing keeps useful items in circulation.
12. What are the “Three Rs” that help us care for the environment and cut down on waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, or Run, Rest, Repeat?
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reducing what we use, reusing items and recycling materials conserve resources and reduce landfill waste.

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9

Recycling, waste & caring for Earth

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Which of these materials can be recycled over and over again without losing its strength: an aluminium drink can or a greasy paper napkin?
Which of these materials c… · Recycling, waste & caring …
2. Why is writing or drawing on both sides of a sheet of paper a good environmental habit: it halves the amount of new paper needed from trees, or it makes the paper heavier?
Why is writing or drawing … · Recycling, waste & caring …
3. Why is buying a refillable water bottle better for the planet than buying a new disposable plastic bottle every day: one reusable bottle replaces hundreds of single-use plastic bottles each year, or disposable bottles are heavier?
Why is buying a refillable… · Recycling, waste & caring …
4. What type of light bulb uses much less electricity and lasts much longer than an old filament bulb: an LED bulb or a wax candle?
What type of light bulb us… · Recycling, waste & caring …
5. Which of these items belongs in a garden compost bin rather than the plastics bin: banana peels and dry leaves, or a glass bottle?
Which of these items belon… · Recycling, waste & caring …
6. Why is it important to keep beaches and park picnic areas free of litter: litter harms wildlife and washes into waterways and the sea, or litter helps grass grow?
Why is it important to kee… · Recycling, waste & caring …
7. How does planting trees in a community or along a shoreline help the environment: tree roots hold soil in place and leaves absorb carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen, or trees block the rain?
How does planting trees in… · Recycling, waste & caring …
8. What does the word “biodegradable” mean: capable of being broken down naturally by bacteria, fungi and other living decomposers, or made of steel?
“biodegradable” · Recycling, waste & caring …
9. What do we call a protected area of land or sea set aside by law so wild plants and animals can live safely without being hunted or destroyed: a nature reserve (marine park) or a factory?
What do we call a protecte… · Recycling, waste & caring …
10. Why do swimmers and snorkellers avoid standing on or touching live coral when visiting a reef: coral polyps are fragile living animals that are easily crushed or damaged, or coral is made of rubber?
Why do swimmers and snorke… · Recycling, waste & caring …
11. Instead of throwing out clothes or storybooks you have outgrown that are still in good condition, what is a sustainable choice: donate or pass them on to younger learners, or burn them?
Instead of throwing out cl… · Recycling, waste & caring …
12. What are the “Three Rs” that help us care for the environment and cut down on waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, or Run, Rest, Repeat?
“Three Rs” · Recycling, waste & caring …

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 7-9

Recycling, waste & caring for Earth

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Which of these materials can be recycled over and over again without losing its strength: an aluminium drink can or a greasy paper napkin?
Aluminium drink can
Aluminium metal can be melted and recycled repeatedly using far less energy than mining new ore.
2. Why is writing or drawing on both sides of a sheet of paper a good environmental habit: it halves the amount of new paper needed from trees, or it makes the paper heavier?
It halves the amount of new paper needed from trees
Using both sides of every sheet reduces paper consumption and saves forest resources.
3. Why is buying a refillable water bottle better for the planet than buying a new disposable plastic bottle every day: one reusable bottle replaces hundreds of single-use plastic bottles each year, or disposable bottles are heavier?
One reusable bottle replaces hundreds of single-use plastic bottles each year
Refilling a durable bottle prevents plastic waste and saves the energy used to manufacture single-use bottles.
4. What type of light bulb uses much less electricity and lasts much longer than an old filament bulb: an LED bulb or a wax candle?
LED bulb
LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs convert most of their electrical energy into light rather than wasted heat.
5. Which of these items belongs in a garden compost bin rather than the plastics bin: banana peels and dry leaves, or a glass bottle?
Banana peels and dry leaves
Plant waste such as fruit peelings and leaves is biodegradable and decomposes into compost.
6. Why is it important to keep beaches and park picnic areas free of litter: litter harms wildlife and washes into waterways and the sea, or litter helps grass grow?
Litter harms wildlife and washes into waterways and the sea
Taking all rubbish home or using bins keeps land and marine ecosystems safe and clean.
7. How does planting trees in a community or along a shoreline help the environment: tree roots hold soil in place and leaves absorb carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen, or trees block the rain?
Tree roots hold soil in place and leaves absorb carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen
Trees prevent soil erosion, provide wildlife habitat, cool streets and absorb CO₂.
8. What does the word “biodegradable” mean: capable of being broken down naturally by bacteria, fungi and other living decomposers, or made of steel?
Capable of being broken down naturally by bacteria, fungi and other living decomposers
Biodegradable materials (such as paper, cotton and food scraps) decay safely back into nature.
9. What do we call a protected area of land or sea set aside by law so wild plants and animals can live safely without being hunted or destroyed: a nature reserve (marine park) or a factory?
Nature reserve (marine park)
Nature reserves and marine protected areas conserve biodiversity and sensitive habitats.
10. Why do swimmers and snorkellers avoid standing on or touching live coral when visiting a reef: coral polyps are fragile living animals that are easily crushed or damaged, or coral is made of rubber?
Coral polyps are fragile living animals that are easily crushed or damaged
Protecting coral reefs means floating calmly and never stepping on or breaking living coral.
11. Instead of throwing out clothes or storybooks you have outgrown that are still in good condition, what is a sustainable choice: donate or pass them on to younger learners, or burn them?
Donate or pass them on to younger learners
Sharing or donating good-quality books and clothing keeps useful items in circulation.
12. What are the “Three Rs” that help us care for the environment and cut down on waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, or Run, Rest, Repeat?
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reducing what we use, reusing items and recycling materials conserve resources and reduce landfill waste.

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification