Objective

To learn about garbage disposal in the community and consider alternatives

Materials

• Garbage Dump Field Trip Worksheet
• Writing utensils

Time

Depends on site visited

Procedure

Distribute copies of the Garbage Dump Field Trip Worksheet to the kids, or to one kid who will serve as a recorder. Have the kids answer the questions, helping them with any unfamiliar concepts. In visiting the dump, which may be large or small, “official” or “informal,” make sure the kids stay safe, away from such items as broken glass, rusty metal, and smoldering trash. Ensure that they are not breathing smoke or confronted with dump-frequenting animals such as feral dogs. Students may need to interview residents of the area or city officials for some of their information.

Following the field trip, the kids can discuss how they can get the community to improve the situation (e.g., work to get a community recycling program underway, organize community cleanups, start a hazardous waste collection effort; encourage composting, moving the dump from vulnerable waterways or public gathering places, burying the trash, cessation of burning; fencing the dump to keep away stray dogs, livestock, and especially children; removing mosquito breeding sites).

This lesson plan is an activity from the Environmental Activities for Youth Clubs and Camps, a resource developed by the Peace Corps Office of Overseas Programming and Training (OPATS). It was contributed by Peace Corps/Armenia.