Recycling Sorting Worksheet - Enviroweek (teacher made) - Free Printable

To solve the problem of sorting the trash into the correct bin, we need to determine whether each item should go into the "GARBAGE" bin or the "RECYCLE" bin. Here's a step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Understand the categories

- GARBAGE: Items that cannot be recycled and must be disposed of in the garbage bin.
- RECYCLE: Items that can be processed for reuse or repurposing.

Step 2: Analyze each item

Let's examine each item from the image and decide where it belongs:

#### Top Row:
1. Burnt toast: This is food waste and cannot be recycled. It goes in the GARBAGE bin.
2. Crisps packet: Typically made of non-recyclable materials (e.g., plastic and foil). Goes in the GARBAGE bin.
3. Plastic water bottle: Made of recyclable plastic. Goes in the RECYCLE bin.
4. Banana peel: Organic waste and not recyclable. Goes in the GARBAGE bin.
5. Glass jar: Recyclable material. Goes in the RECYCLE bin.
6. Jelly jar: Glass jars are recyclable. Goes in the RECYCLE bin.

#### Bottom Row:
7. Soda can: Made of aluminum, which is highly recyclable. Goes in the RECYCLE bin.
8. Plastic bottles: Made of recyclable plastic. Goes in the RECYCLE bin.
9. Turkey: Food waste and not recyclable. Goes in the GARBAGE bin.
10. Stack of paper: Paper is recyclable. Goes in the RECYCLE bin.
11. Light bulb: Contains materials like glass and mercury, which require special disposal. Goes in the GARBAGE bin (or a designated hazardous waste bin).
12. Broken eggshell: Organic waste and not recyclable. Goes in the GARBAGE bin.

Step 3: Assign items to bins

Based on the analysis above, here’s how the items should be sorted:

- GARBAGE Bin: Burnt toast, crisps packet, banana peel, turkey, light bulb, broken eggshell.
- RECYCLE Bin: Plastic water bottle, glass jar, jelly jar, soda can, plastic bottles, stack of paper.

Final Answer:

- GARBAGE: 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 12
- RECYCLE: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10

$$
\boxed{\text{GARBAGE: 1, 2, 4, 9, 11, 12; RECYCLE: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10}}
$$