Energy Resource Lesson Seven : Using a Product's Life Cycle

1. Students could plan an eco-friendly class lunch that uses a minimum of disposable goods. They can recycle and compost as much of the “garbage” as possible.

2. Students could compare paper and plastic bags using the interactive Life Cycle Analysis of Paper and Plastic Bags Michigan Technological University Tech Alive Web Module. (http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module14/title.htm)

3. Encourage students to explore waste and landfills using the interactive Where Does Our Garbage Go? Michigan Technological University Tech Alive Web Module. Retrieved October 20, 2010, from http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec.htm or http://techalive.mtu.edu/meec/module15/title.htm.

4. Students could play the U.S. EPA’s Recycle City game to learn more about pollution prevention (http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/).

5. Students could learn about hazardous and nonhazardous waste using the resources on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Solid Waste and Emergency Response. A Collection of Solid Waste Resources, 2003 Edition. (CD). Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Included with the unit.)

6. Students complete the Life Cycle of a Sport Shoe activity (on the MEECS Energy Resources CD) to learn about the energy and resources required to make and dispose of a sport shoe.