Grade 3 Environmental Activities Care for the environment – Managing Waste Notes

• Explain what waste is and name at least three types (organic, recyclable, general).
• Describe three ways to manage waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3Rs).
• Sort classroom waste into three bins correctly (compost, recycle, general) with 80% accuracy.
• Show safe behaviour during a community clean-up (wear gloves, stay with the group).
• Create a simple reused item (e.g., bottle planter) or a small compost for the school garden.

Managing waste means making sure rubbish does not harm people or nature. We sort, reduce, reuse and recycle waste so rivers, farms and towns in Kenya stay clean and animals stay safe.

• Reduce — buy less single-use plastic (Kenya banned plastic carrier bags). Choose refillable water bottles.
• Reuse — turn old tins and plastic bottles into planters or pencil holders.
• Recycle — put clean paper, glass and some plastics in the recycle bin. Ask parents where to take e-waste and batteries.

• Banana peel, vegetable peelings → Compost (🍌)
• Sachets, plastic bottles (rinsed), old tins, newspapers → Recycle (♻️)
• Broken toys with mixed parts, dirty nappies, sanitary waste → General waste (🗑️) — keep away from compost/recycling
• Batteries, old phones (e-waste) → Give to a collection point or county recycling centre (do not burn)

1. Sorting Game (30–40 minutes)
   Materials: three labelled boxes (Compost, Recycle, General), picture cards of common items (banana skin, sachet, paper).

   How: Children take turns picking a card and putting it in the correct box. Teacher checks and explains mistakes.

   Learning goal: Sort 10 items correctly.
2. Make a Bottle Planter (40–60 minutes)
   Materials: used plastic bottles, soil, seeds (kales or spinach), scissors (adult use), paint or stickers.

   How: With adult help, cut bottle, fill with soil, plant a seed. Decorate the planter. Put in the school garden.

   Learning goal: Reuse one item and care for a plant.
3. Start a Small Compost Pit (several lessons)
   Materials: garden corner, dry leaves, food scraps, water, stick for turning.

   How: Choose safe spot, add layers of kitchen scraps and dry leaves, turn weekly with teacher supervision. Use compost in school garden after it is ready.

   Learning goal: Explain how compost helps plants and sort kitchen waste for composting.
4. Community Clean-up and Map (1–2 hours, with parents)
   How: Walk to a nearby area (school compound or riverbank) with gloves and bags. Collect waste, count bags, and make a simple map of where most rubbish was found.

   Learning goal: Show safe behaviour and explain why dumping near rivers is harmful to fish and farms.
5. Poster, Song or Short Play (one lesson)
   How: In groups children make posters or a short play about reducing plastics. Display in school or perform to another class.

   Learning goal: Share messages on how to care for the environment.

• Always wear gloves when handling rubbish; adults should handle sharp or medical waste.
• Do not burn plastic — this makes harmful smoke. Take e-waste and batteries to a safe collection point.
• Ensure activities are inclusive: children with mobility needs can sort cards, draw posters or plant small pots at a desk.

• Observation checklist: Can the child sort items? Do they use gloves? Can they name two ways to reduce waste?
• Collect evidence: photos of bottle planters, compost log, drawings or posters, group clean-up count.
• Link to home: give a short homework — sort one bag of household waste with a parent and tell the class what they found.
• Use local examples: talk about plastic bag ban in Kenya and how litter affects rivers like Nairobi River or nearby lakes.

Compost = rotting plant waste that becomes food for the soil. Recycle = make old things into new things. Reduce = use less. Reuse = use again.