Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! worksheet - Free Printable

Problem Description:

The task is to sort various items into the correct trash categories: Garbage, Recycle, and Compost. The goal is to categorize each item based on its material and whether it can be recycled, composted, or must be disposed of as garbage.

Solution Approach:

1. Understand the Categories:
- Garbage: Items that cannot be recycled or composted and must be disposed of in a landfill.
- Recycle: Items made from materials that can be reused or repurposed, such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass.
- Compost: Organic materials that can break down naturally and be used as fertilizer, such as food waste and plant-based items.

2. Analyze Each Item:
- Carefully examine each item to determine its material and whether it fits into one of the three categories.

3. Categorize the Items:
- Place each item in the appropriate column (Garbage, Recycle, or Compost).

---

Step-by-Step Categorization:

#### Top Row:
1. Banana Peel:
- Material: Organic waste (food).
- Category: Compost.

2. Toilet Paper Roll:
- Material: Paper.
- Category: Recycle.

3. Aluminum Foil:
- Material: Metal (aluminum).
- Category: Recycle.

4. Dried Flower:
- Material: Organic waste.
- Category: Compost.

#### Middle Row:
5. Crumpled Aluminum Foil:
- Material: Metal (aluminum).
- Category: Recycle.

6. Band-Aid:
- Material: Adhesive bandage (plastic and fabric).
- Category: Garbage (not recyclable or compostable).

7. Apple Core:
- Material: Organic waste (food).
- Category: Compost.

8. Chips Bag:
- Material: Plastic.
- Category: Garbage (most chip bags are not recyclable due to their composite materials).

#### Bottom Row:
9. Plastic Bottle:
- Material: Plastic.
- Category: Recycle.

10. Soda Can:
- Material: Metal (aluminum).
- Category: Recycle.

11. Orange Peel:
- Material: Organic waste (food).
- Category: Compost.

12. Pen:
- Material: Plastic and metal.
- Category: Garbage (not recyclable or compostable).

---

Final Answer:

Here is the sorted table:

| Garbage | Recycle | Compost |
|---------------|----------------|---------------|
| Band-Aid | Toilet Paper | Banana Peel |
| Chips Bag | Aluminum Foil | Dried Flower |
| Pen | Crumpled Foil | Apple Core |
| | Plastic Bottle | Orange Peel |
| | Soda Can | |

Final Answer Boxed:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{|c|c|c|}
\hline
\text{Garbage} & \text{Recycle} & \text{Compost} \\
\hline
\text{Band-Aid} & \text{Toilet Paper} & \text{Banana Peel} \\
\text{Chips Bag} & \text{Aluminum Foil} & \text{Dried Flower} \\
\text{Pen} & \text{Crumpled Foil} & \text{Apple Core} \\
& \text{Plastic Bottle} & \text{Orange Peel} \\
& \text{Soda Can} & \\
\hline
\end{array}
}
\]