Increase Recycling: Paper and Cardboard
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Economics
Authors: Project Drawdown
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article highlights the role of recycling as a climate solution, including a section on recycled paper that discusses the greenhouse gas emissions avoided by keeping paper and cardboard out of landfills.
- There are also sections for recycling plastics, metals, and glass. Users will need to toggle using the tabs on the data visualizations for paper and cardboard-specific data.
- Students will learn about the processes used to produce both recycled and conventional material production, the energy and greenhouse gas emissions released during both processes, the financial implications of this climate solution, and predictions about global paper production and consumption.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource provides a "Take Action" section that details some practical ideas for students.
- The article is organized like a brief scientific paper, which can help increase comprehension.
Prerequisites
- It may be helpful for students to have familiarity with the format of a scientific paper.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Provide students with the opportunity to explore this table of solutions or other related solutions listed below the article, choosing another solution for comparison.
- As an extension activity, ask students to connect with community organizations to ensure that they are recycling paper and see what supports they need to get started if they are not.
- Give students the opportunity to compare the recycling of other materials, including metals and plastics.
- Compare the research results presented in this resource with information about the effectiveness of recycling plastics and other materials, as discussed in this podcast, which explores whether recycling certain items is effective or counterproductive.
- Pair students up to have them discuss what role electronic media might play in the future of the paper industry, using reasons and evidence to support opinions.
- Consider having students participate in an activity where they learn about paper recycling by using old paper to make new seed paper.
In this article, the impacts of paper production on greenhouse gas emissions is discussed. The study examines how recycling different amounts of paper products will help the climate. The financial aspect of these changes is also briefly discussed. The article is organized similar a scientific paper in the way it breaks down this climate solution into an introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion sections. These make this resource a good example of how scientific articles are often structured. Resources are included. The information presented is accurate and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
