Materials Required:
Large plastic containers with lids
Large craft sticks
Soil (from outside, not store-bought)
Selection of items (e.g., aluminum cans, baby food jars, plastic materials, egg shells, potato peelings, banana peels, styrofoam, fabric strips, cardboard pieces, old leaves, fruit, coffee grounds, tea bags)
Water for moistening soil
Notebook and pencil for recording observations
Steps Involved:
Prepare Materials:
Provide each group with a large plastic container, large craft sticks, and access to soil and a variety of items to choose from.
Select Items:
Instruct students to select five different items from the available choices, ensuring they pick at least one item that will decompose slowly and one that is biodegradable.
Set Up Mini-Landfill:
Have students fill their plastic containers with at least two inches of soil.
Use craft sticks to divide the soil into five equal sections.
In each section, bury one of the chosen items and cover it completely with soil. Moisten the soil thoroughly and place the lid on the container.
Predict Decomposition Rates:
Ask each group to predict which of their five items will decompose the fastest and which will decompose the slowest.
Monitor and Record:
Place the containers in a dark, out-of-the-way location.
Every two weeks, have students stir and examine each section of their landfill. Record any changes, such as odors, the presence of organisms, and the extent of decay in their notebooks.
Analyze and Discuss:
After four weeks (or longer if desired), review the observations with the students. Discuss which materials decomposed quickly and which did not.
Use this as a segue to explain how landfills fill up with non-decomposable materials and the environmental impact of this.
Reflect and Explore Solutions:
Discuss ways to reduce landfill waste, such as recycling, reusing, reducing, and composting. Highlight how these practices can help manage waste more effectively and reduce landfill use.
Conclude the Activity:
Summarize key findings from the mini-landfill experiment and reinforce the importance of waste management. Encourage students to think about how they can apply these lessons in their own lives to contribute to a more sustainable environment.