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This worksheet helps students distinguish between organic waste for composting and materials for recycling or landfill.

Scholastic worksheet showing items to sort into compost or recycling bins.

Scholastic worksheet showing items to sort into compost or recycling bins.

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Show Answer Key & Explanations Step-by-step solution for: What can we compost? - activity - FREE Primary KS1 teaching ...

Problem Overview:


The task is to determine which items from the provided list can be composted and which cannot. Composting involves breaking down organic materials into nutrient-rich soil, while non-compostable items should either be recycled or disposed of as regular waste.

Solution Approach:


1. Identify Compostable Items: These are organic materials that can break down naturally in a compost bin.
2. Identify Non-Compostable Items: These are materials that do not decompose easily or could harm the composting process (e.g., plastics, metals, etc.).

Step-by-Step Analysis:



#### List of Items:
1. Fruit Scraps
- Can be composted: Organic waste that breaks down easily.

2. Uncooked Vegetable Peels
- Can be composted: Organic waste that decomposes naturally.

3. Eggshells
- Can be composted: Provide calcium and other nutrients as they break down.

4. Paper Towels
- Can be composted: Made from natural fibers and will decompose over time.

5. Scrunched-Up Paper
- Can be composted: Similar to paper towels, it will break down.

6. Dead Flowers
- Can be composted: Organic material that decomposes naturally.

7. Shredded Newspaper
- Can be composted: Natural fiber-based material that breaks down.

8. Old Bread
- Can be composted: Organic food waste that decomposes.

9. Tea Bags
- Can be composted: Most tea bags are made from natural materials and will break down.

10. Cheese
- Can be composted: Organic food waste, though it may attract pests if not managed properly.

11. Plastic Drink Bottles
- Cannot be composted: Plastic does not decompose and should be recycled.

12. Potato Peelings
- Can be composted: Organic food waste that breaks down easily.

13. Egg Cartons
- Can be composted: Typically made from cardboard or molded pulp, which decomposes.

14. Yoghurt Cartons
- Cannot be composted: Often lined with plastic or wax, making them non-compostable. They should be recycled.

15. Cardboard Boxes
- Can be composted: Made from natural fibers and will break down.

16. Biscuit Wrappers
- Cannot be composted: Usually contain plastic or foil, which does not decompose.

17. Toilet Paper Rolls
- Can be composted: Made from natural fibers and will break down.

---

Final Classification:



#### Put it in – Composting:
- Fruit scraps
- Uncooked vegetable peels
- Eggshells
- Paper towels
- Scrunched-up paper
- Dead flowers
- Shredded newspaper
- Old bread
- Tea bags
- Cheese
- Potato peelings
- Egg cartons
- Cardboard boxes
- Toilet paper rolls

#### Rubbish or Recycle:
- Plastic drink bottles
- Yoghurt cartons
- Biscuit wrappers

---

Explanation:


- Compostable Items: These are organic materials that will break down naturally in a compost bin, enriching the soil with nutrients.
- Non-Compostable Items: These include materials like plastics, metals, or items lined with non-biodegradable substances. They should either be recycled (if recyclable) or disposed of as regular waste.

Final Answer:


\[
\boxed{
\text{Compost: Fruit scraps, uncooked vegetable peels, eggshells, paper towels, scrunched-up paper, dead flowers, shredded newspaper, old bread, tea bags, cheese, potato peelings, egg cartons, cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls.}
}
\]
\[
\boxed{
\text{Rubbish/Recycle: Plastic drink bottles, yoghurt cartons, biscuit wrappers.}
}
\]
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of composting for kids worksheet.
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