Recycling Fast Facts

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• Every ton of paper recycled saves more than 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. That is about the same size as a small refrigerator.
• In 2008, a record high of 57.4 percent of the paper used in the U.S. was recovered for recycling. That’s an average of 340 pounds for every man, woman, and child in the country. Also weighing in at around 340 pounds: an average adult male black bear.
• In 2007, 87 percent (268 million) of Americans had access to curbside or drop-off paper recycling programs.
• Paper recycling is not a new idea; in the 19th century, people used old cloths and rags to make new paper.
• Many different grades of paper can be recycled into new products. Notebook paper, for example, can become printing or writing paper, newspaper, or packaging. Newspaper is usually made into new newsprint, egg cartons, or paperboard. Cardboard is recycled into new cardboard or paperboard packaging.
• Wake County, NC’s "Feed the Bin" paper recycling program, with more than 135,000 students, collected 800 tons of paper during the 2007–8 school year.

For more facts on recycling to share with students, visit paperrecycles.org.

Web Hunts: Science & Social Studies (Grades 3-6)
Browse our collection of Web Hunts to learn about various topics in science and social studies. Learn about the American Museum of Natural History, leeches, mythic creatures, Christopher Columbus, Harriet Tubman and more.

Web Hunt: Science & Social Studies (Grades 6-10)
Browse our collection of Web Hunt to learn about various topics in science and social studies. Learn about the American Museum of Natural History, DNA, leeches, mythic creatures, Christopher Columbus, Harriet Tubman and more.

Helping Children Explore & Protect Our Planet
Sprung discusses several ways to introduce children to the issues of ecology and conservation. During the early childhood years, teachers should provide children with a learning environment that fosters a love of nature and a commitment to preserving the Earth's precious natural resources. For more information and suggested readings, click on the links to "Home-School Connection" and "Resources."

LESSON PLAN	Oral History of the Skagit River Watershed for Grades 4-8 Students practice interviewing and the accurate reporting of information obtained from the interview.
ONLINE ACTIVITY	Math Hunt: Earth Day Find out how to help preserve the planet by solving these environmentally-themed math questions on ratios, percentages, and basic operations.