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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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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 7-9

Recycling, waste & caring for Earth

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. 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 …
  2. 2. What natural soil conditioner is made when kitchen fruit and vegetable scraps and fallen leaves rot down in a garden bin: compost or plastic?

    What natural soil conditio… · Recycling, waste & caring …
  3. 3. 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 …
  4. 4. What happens to old glass bottles when they are sent to a glass recycling plant: they are crushed, melted in a furnace and moulded into new glass bottles and jars, or they are turned into wood?

    What happens to old glass … · Recycling, waste & caring …
  5. 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. 6. 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 …
  7. 7. 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 …
  8. 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. 9. How does collecting rainwater from a roof into a covered water tank help a household: the stored rainwater can water gardens and flush toilets without using treated mains water, or it stops clouds forming?

    How does collecting rainwa… · Recycling, waste & caring …
  10. 10. What should you do before putting an empty glass jar or plastic milk bottle into the recycling bin: rinse it out so food residue does not spoil the paper and cardboard recycling, or smash it on the floor?

    What should you do before … · Recycling, waste & caring …
  11. 11. 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 …
  12. 12. 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 questions · Seed 47 · 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. 1. 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.

  2. 2. What natural soil conditioner is made when kitchen fruit and vegetable scraps and fallen leaves rot down in a garden bin: compost or plastic?

    Compost

    Decomposers break down organic kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost for plants.

  3. 3. 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.

  4. 4. What happens to old glass bottles when they are sent to a glass recycling plant: they are crushed, melted in a furnace and moulded into new glass bottles and jars, or they are turned into wood?

    They are crushed, melted in a furnace and moulded into new glass bottles and jars

    Recycled crushed glass (cullet) melts at a lower temperature than raw sand, saving energy.

  5. 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. 6. 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.

  7. 7. 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.

  8. 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. 9. How does collecting rainwater from a roof into a covered water tank help a household: the stored rainwater can water gardens and flush toilets without using treated mains water, or it stops clouds forming?

    The stored rainwater can water gardens and flush toilets without using treated mains water

    Rainwater harvesting conserves treated drinking water supplies, especially during dry spells.

  10. 10. What should you do before putting an empty glass jar or plastic milk bottle into the recycling bin: rinse it out so food residue does not spoil the paper and cardboard recycling, or smash it on the floor?

    Rinse it out so food residue does not spoil the paper and cardboard recycling

    Clean, dry recyclables prevent contamination of other materials in the sorting facility.

  11. 11. 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.

  12. 12. 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 questions · Seed 47 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification