Earth Day - Worksheet - Sorting recycled items | Planerium - Free Printable

Let me work through this recycling sorting task step by step.

I need to categorize each item into one of three categories:
- RECYCLE: Items that can be processed and turned into new materials
- REUSE: Items that can be used again for the same or different purpose without processing
- REDUCE: Items we should use less of or avoid to reduce waste

Let me go through each item:

Row 1:
1. Newspaper - RECYCLE (paper can be recycled)
2. Can (soda/food can) - RECYCLE (metal cans are recyclable)
3. Light bulb - REDUCE (use energy-efficient bulbs, hard to recycle)
4. Glass bottle - RECYCLE (glass is recyclable)
5. T-shirt - REUSE (can be worn again or repurposed)
6. Plastic bottle - RECYCLE (plastic bottles are commonly recycled)
7. Battery - REDUCE (hazardous, try to use rechargeable instead)
8. Water bottle - REUSE (reusable water bottle) or RECYCLE (if disposable)

Row 2:
9. Apple core - This is compostable, but between these options, it would fit best under REDUCE (reduce food waste)
10. Plastic bag - REDUCE (should use fewer plastic bags) or REUSE (can reuse them)
11. Cardboard box - RECYCLE (cardboard is recyclable) or REUSE (can reuse boxes)
12. Soda can - RECYCLE (aluminum cans are highly recyclable)
13. Coffee cup - REUSE (reusable coffee cup) or REDUCE (avoid disposable cups)
14. Toy doll - REUSE (toys can be reused/donated)
15. Paper/documents - RECYCLE (paper is recyclable)
16. Paper bag - RECYCLE (paper bags are recyclable) or REUSE (can reuse paper bags)

Let me reconsider based on typical educational worksheets:

RECYCLE (materials that get processed):
- Newspaper
- Metal can
- Glass bottle
- Plastic bottle
- Soda can
- Cardboard box
- Paper/documents
- Paper bag

REUSE (items used again as-is):
- T-shirt
- Reusable water bottle
- Toy doll
- Reusable coffee cup
- Plastic bag (can be reused multiple times)

REDUCE (things to use less of):
- Light bulb (use efficient ones, reduce energy)
- Battery (use rechargeable, reduce battery waste)
- Apple core (reduce food waste)
- Disposable items in general

Actually, let me think about this more carefully for a student worksheet:

RECYCLE:
- Newspaper ✓
- Metal can ✓
- Glass bottle ✓
- Plastic bottle ✓
- Soda/aluminum can ✓
- Cardboard box ✓
- Paper ✓
- Paper bag ✓

REUSE:
- T-shirt ✓
- Reusable water bottle ✓
- Toy doll ✓
- Reusable coffee cup ✓
- Plastic bag (can reuse many times) ✓

REDUCE:
- Light bulb (reduce energy consumption) ✓
- Battery (reduce hazardous waste) ✓
- Apple core (reduce food waste) ✓

Wait, I have 16 items but only listed 15. Let me recount...

Items: 1.newspaper, 2.can, 3.lightbulb, 4.glass bottle, 5.t-shirt, 6.plastic bottle, 7.battery, 8.water bottle, 9.apple core, 10.plastic bag, 11.cardboard box, 12.soda can, 13.coffee cup, 14.toy, 15.paper, 16.paper bag

That's 16 items. Good.

Final Answer:

RECYCLE:
- Newspaper
- Metal can
- Glass bottle
- Plastic bottle
- Soda can (aluminum can)
- Cardboard box
- Paper/documents
- Paper bag

REUSE:
- T-shirt
- Reusable water bottle
- Toy doll
- Reusable coffee cup
- Plastic bag

REDUCE:
- Light bulb
- Battery
- Apple core