From the youngest possible age, we have always been taught to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
It’s the basic idea that there is a finite amount of supplies in the world, and we as humans are rapidly running through them. On top of that, as landfills run out of space and litter becomes more prevalent, we need to come to terms with, and answer for, humanity’s past recklessness.
After all, with issues like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is more than twice the size of Texas, the environmental concern and need for recycling isn’t going away any time soon.
For students, understanding both what recycling is and why it matters is an important lesson that should be learned as early as possible. That’s where these twenty-seven writing prompts can become useful.
How to Use These Writing Prompts:
The best way to use these prompts is by allowing students to answer them openly or freely.
The design of them is to spark curiosity, thought, and further questions about the topic of recycling. It’s not about testing their knowledge of what recycling physically is.
In that respect, these questions are a great resource to use, allowing for students to come up with their own answers before a class discussion. This class discussion can then be used to help students understand multiple perspectives and think about recycling in ways they may not have come up with by themselves.
Of course, there are other ways to use these prompts.
Students could be asked to answer several at once, forcing them to think about different questions when it comes to recycling. They could be used over a longer period of time, helping to imprint the lesson on recycling.
No matter what, though, these prompts are designed to make students think critically about recycling and why it matters, beyond a catchy phrase like reduce, reuse, recycle.
Writing Prompts on Recycling
Here are the twenty-seven writing prompts on recycling:
- What would happen if everyone stopped recycling?
- What would happen if everyone recycled everything that can be recycled?
- In your own life, what different ways can you reduce and reuse?
- How is composting different from recycling?
- What happens if there is no more room in our landfills for trash to go?
- How would you convince someone who doesn’t think recycling is important to start?
- Are there any ways that nature recycles its own resources?
- How is litter different from pollution? Is one worse than the other?
- What are some items that can be recycled, but you still usually don’t?
- Why is bad to recycle something that can’t be recycled?
- How can you tell the difference between something that can and can not be recycled?
- What makes the slogan ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle’ so catchy? Can you come up with some of your own slogans for recycling?
- What are your options for recycling outside your home?
- If you were in charge of your town’s recycling, what would you change? If you wouldn’t change anything, why not?
- Do you feel good about yourself when you recycle? Why or why not?
- What happens to animals when trash gets into their environment? Can you give a few examples?
- How do you remember to recycle?
- Why is it important to protect nature?
- What are some ways you could protect nature, besides recycling?
- How much paper do you use every day? Do you think technology can help you use less paper? How would this help the environment?
- Paper comes from trees. When we use less, fewer trees need to be cut down. Why does that matter? How are trees good for us and the environment?
- Do things like paper straws and reusable straws help the environment? Why or why not?
- Imagine your favorite outdoor area. Now, picture it covered in trash. How does that make you feel about recycling and waste?
- Plastic bags are designed to be used once, but they contain oil and don’t naturally break down for hundreds of years. Should they be banned for reusable bags instead?
- Is there an obligation to leave Earth better than you found it? Why or why not?
- What animals would benefit the most from recycling?
- Are plants, as well as animals, better off if we recycle?
Looking for More Writing Prompts?
If you’re still looking for more on recycling, or have any interest in other potential writing prompts and resources, there are plenty available throughout our website. Try our prompts about national parks, or the zoo!
If something is missing, reach out to us, so we can correct that.
And if you can, please share this website with your colleagues and friends – it would mean the world to us! Thanks.
