Recycling is an essential part of taking care of the environment. However, if recycling is known to be so good for the planet, why we don’t recycle everything? The truth is that money plays a significant role in determining what gets recycled and what doesn’t. If an industry can save money by recycling something instead of taking it from a new source, it will do just that. However, if extracting a resource from the Earth, regardless of environmental impact, is cheaper, the industry will probably go that route instead. It isn’t until people vote with their wallets or governments make regulatory changes do we see industries willfully change policy may cost more.

Most people know we recycle metal, paper, glass, and plastic. However, the rate at which they are recycled and their value varies greatly. Recycled metal is more straightforward to process than extracting it from the ground. Many types of metal, like aluminum, can be recycled an infinite number of times without degradation. Recycled metal is so valuable that some industries pay for scrap metal because they can still profit after paying for and processing it. The expense of mining and refining the ore is greater than buying and processing old metal. Therefore, most times, recycled metal is preferable.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for plastic. It’s much more challenging to process plastic because there are many different types of plastic, and some can’t be recycled. Even worse, recyclable and non-recyclable plastic are often mixed, which makes the recyclable plastic unusable. The sad fact is that it’s cheaper to extract crude oil from the ground and process it into new plastic than to recycle plastic. Because of this, plastic recycling initiatives haven’t been as successful as metal recycling.

Paper and cardboard fall somewhere in the middle. Virgin paper sources are cheaper to process than recycled materials. Still, the cost difference is small enough that many people will pay a little extra to know they’re not contributing to trees being cut down. Because people are willing to pay more for recycled paper, enough industries will work with the recycled material, knowing they can pass the extra cost to the consumer. However, food and other chemical residue can prevent paper and cardboard from being recycled. Overall, while recycling is beneficial for the environment, the economics of recycling plays a significant role in what gets recycled.

This fun dodgeball-style game will help students understand the motivations and financial incentives involved with recycling. It will be a good jumping-off point for further discussion.

Materials: 

·      An ample open space

·      Lots of soft multi-colored dodgeballs

·      One can use the lines on the court if playing in a gym. If outside, one can use cones or rubber disc dots to make the boundary lines.

·      Some type of material to catch the dodgeball

o   Mini soccer goal

o   55-gallon bucket

o   Hula-hoop with hula-hoop holder

Minimum Number of Students Needed: Theoretically, this game could be played with four students total (two per team), but the game would be far more fun with an entire class of students.

Age: All Ages