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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
SECTION 1: PLASTIC 101
SECTION 2: RESIN IDENTIFICATION CODES
SECTION 3: RECYCLING
QUIZ
