101 – LESSON 1: Introduction to Ocean Plastics

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Learning Objectives

Lesson 1 provides an overview of plastic, explains plastic Resin Identification Codes, and explains how to sort and recycle plastic correctly. After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Identify the two main types of plastics
  • Describe timeline of plastic and plastic pollution
  • Explain what most synthetic plastic is made from
  • Describe the main steps in the plastics production process
  • Describe potential environmental impacts of resource extraction for plastic production
  • Describe the basic molecular structure of plastic
  • Describe the purpose/function of Resin Identification Codes (RICs)
  • Identify Resin Identification Codes
  • Explain the role that RICs play in recycling plastics
  • Explain why all plastics with the same RIC are not recyclable
  • Explain why there is so much plastic
  • Explain where most plastic ends up
  • Explain what ALDFG/ghost gear is and why it is such a problem
  • Explain what happens to plastic in the environment
  • Explain how wish-cycling can lead to recycling contamination
  • Sort recycling properly

Lesson Content

INTRODUCTION
Video 1: Giving thanks for our oceans…
About Ocean Legacy…
About this lesson…
Learning Objectives
More Learning Objectives
SECTION 1: PLASTIC 101
Video 2: Plastics 101
More about plastics…
Timeline of plastic production and pollution…
What are most synthetic plastics made from?
What are the main steps in plastic production?
Environmental impacts of oil & gas extraction…
Molecular structure of plastic…
Knowledge Check 1
SECTION 2: RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODES
Video 3: Plastic Recycling Codes
Let’s reflect on the video…
How are plastics classified?
What role do RICs play in recycling plastics?
Are all plastics with the same RIC recyclable?
Knowledge Check 2
Video 4: How Recycling Works
SECTION 3: RECYCLING
Why are plastics used to make so many things?
Where do plastics end up?
Visualizing ocean plastic waste…
Some statistics about plastics and plastic waste…
What is ghost gear or ALDFG?
Why is ghost gear (ALDFG) such a problem?
Why is ghost gear (ALDFG) such a problem? (cont’d)
What happens to plastics in the environment?
Some of the impacts of ocean plastics…
The lifecycle of plastics…
If you want to recycle… then sort correctly!
What is wish-cycling?
More about recycling correctly…
QUIZ
You’ve reached the end of this lesson! Complete the following quiz.
Lesson 1 Final Quiz
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