Plastic is everywhere — from bottles to toys — thanks to its low cost and durability. But our global reliance comes at a price.
Explore this issue with our free 4-part lesson packs for KS1 & KS2, designed by teachers, for teachers.
Click each lesson title to download and teach — it’s that easy.
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Did you know?
Recycling a single plastic bottle can conserve enough energy to light a light bulb for up to 6 hours. [Source: Recycle More]
However, plastic can be detrimental to the environment as it isn’t biodegradable. It doesn’t rot, like paper or food, and so instead hangs around in the environment for hundreds of years.
Bioplastics and compostable packaging are becoming widely used but do cause a lot of confusion when it comes to disposal. For background information on this topic, check out our bioplastics blog.
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Useful resources:
The Pod have designed an assembly on the life cycle of plastic, and why we need to avoid single-use plastics at all costs. The presentation includes speaker notes.
BBC Bitesize has also designed a mini-site that you can use to teach pupils what the problem with plastic is. The site has engaging top tips and a quiz to test pupil’s knowledge.
Here is a useful hub consisting of resources about plastic consumption and reduction from Our Planet, endorsed by David Attenborough!
There are various activity ideas within for all ages, which aim to teach pupils about the delicate conditions of our planet through key themes like interdependency. From discussion topics to creative activities, it provides useful whole-classroom activities that work on improving pupils’ collaboration and communication as well as teaching important messages.
Consider playing snippets (or more!) of Our Planet, on Netflix, to teach how the different planetary systems connect and support each other and give a sense of connectivity to nature which has been shown to correlate to more sustainable waste behaviours!
A documentary film on plastic pollution, explaining the importance of reducing plastic waste and the impact plastic has on the environment.
This short video can be shown either in class or during an assembly to demonstrate the impact of plastic on the ocean. It is aimed at younger children.
Take some handy tips away from Less Plastic who have set out the most impactful ways plastic can be reduces in your school. You could also download and display as a poster around the school to serve as a reminder to others!
9 ways to reduce plastic in your school: External source: Less Plastic
A longer, 45-minute documentary on plastic disposal and impacts on the environment. It is more suitable for KS3 and can be paused at significant points to allow breaks.
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Bring sustainability to life in your school
Establish a culture of waste prevention with our 'In the Know' schools programme.
Set up a Uniform Exchange in your school to help families save up to £348 on uniforms.