Kids Go Green with Recycling

www.cleansweepusa.org

Clean Sweep is a pun-laden site created especially for middle school kids. Here, students can create a “Garbage Pizza,” visit the “Waste Watchers,” or drop something at the “Compost Office.” Created by: Keep America Beautiful Inc., Stamford, CT. Detour: Recycling computers, cell phones, and other electronic gear is critical to protecting our environment. For a related lesson, visit “Ollie Saves the Planet—Recycle Electronics” at www.olliesworld.com/planet/usa/info/info/rc_el03.htm.

www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/recycle/index.htm

The ins and outs of worm composting and turning trash into treasure for the holidays—it’s all here at this cool site designed for elementary kids. Online activities abound in the “Recycling & Beyond” section, including a home recycling survey, a waste-reducing word search puzzle, and the matching game “It’s Not All Garbage.” Created by: The Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Madison, WI. Detour: Recycling fun isn’t just for young kids. Teens will find the “Dumptown” (www.epa.gov/recyclecity/gameint.htm) game entertaining and challenging.

pbskids.org/eekoworld/index_flash.html

Appropriate for elementary students, EekoWorld features an animated movie on recycling. Hosted by the “EekoCreature,” the film is ideal for a class or library presentation. After viewing, kids can play the “EcoHouse” game to test their skill at reducing waste. Created by: The Public Broadcasting Service, Arlington, VA. Don’t Miss: Kids can create their own EekoCreature to feed and play with whenever they visit the site. Detour: The “Junk Dunk” is another fun game (disney.go.com/games/junkdunk).

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/kids/space

At this EPA site, kids accompany aliens from the planet Ergon and answer Commander Trubble’s questions as he tries to learn how earthlings reduce waste. Created by: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Detour: Reading about recycling doesn’t have to be a bore. The EPA’s 19-page PDF comic book “The Adventures of the Garbage Gremlin” (www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/recycle/gremlin/gremlin.htm) is perfect for middle school students.

www.recyclezone.org.uk/home.aspx

Middle school students, especially Harry Potter fans, will enjoy the decidedly English flavor of this site. First stop: the “Fun zone,” where kids can rap with “Recycler” and take the “Rubbish Challenge.” Created by: Waste Watch, London, England. Detour: For an elementary level game, check out “Barnaby Bear’s Recycling” at www.bbc.co.uk/schools/barnabybear/games/recycle.shtml.