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Year 7 - Science

Waste and recycling

Climate change and living sustainably

Unit Summary

This unit introduces the greenhouse effect, global warming and the impact of climate change on weather events. It explores some actions that can be taken to use resources, and to live, in a sustainable way.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how to use resources more sustainably and reduce waste.

Key Notes

  • Waste is often sent to incinerators or landfill sites, which are sources of greenhouse gases.
  • Reuse, reduce, recycle is what we can do to minimise waste.
  • Sustainable use of resources helps ensure that they are available for future generations.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • landfill: the disposal of waste by burying it
  • waste incinerator: a furnace that burns waste, often to generate electricity
  • recycle: to convert waste material into new products
  • sustainable resource: a resource that can be maintained at a certain level for as long as is needed

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Recycling is the most effective way reducing the amount of waste we throw away.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Waste is often sent to incinerators or landfill sites, which are sources of greenhouse gases. Reuse, reduce, recycle is what we can do to minimise waste.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'landfill'

the disposal of waste by burying it. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Recycling is the most effective way reducing the amount of waste we throw away. Correction: Highlight the understanding that reusing and reducing what is used is more effective and that recycling should be seen as a last resort. Repairing and repurposing can also help to reduce waste.

More Lessons In This Unit

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