Understanding the Importance of Looking After the Environment
Looking after the environment means taking care of our planet and the resources we use. Here are some key points to understand:
Recycling
- What is Recycling?Recycling is the process of taking used materials and turning them into new products. For example, plastic bottles can be recycled to make new bottles or clothes.
- Why is Recycling Important?
- Saves Energy: Making products from recycled materials uses less energy than making them from new raw materials.
- Reduces Waste: Recycling helps to create less rubbish. This means less waste goes to landfills, which are places where waste is buried.
- Where to Learn More:You can find out what you can recycle in different parts of the UK:
- England: Recycle Now
- Wales: Waste Awareness Wales
- Scotland: Recycle for Scotland
- Northern Ireland: Check with your local authority.
Supporting Local Communities
- Shop Locally:Buying products from your local area helps local businesses and farmers. It also means that the products do not have to travel far, which reduces pollution.
Transportation Choices
- Walking and Public Transport:
- Why Walk or Use Public Transport?Walking or using buses and trains creates less pollution than driving a car. This is good for the environment and helps keep our air clean.
Questions for Your Understanding
Easy Level Questions
- What is recycling?
- A) Throwing things away
- B) Making new products from used materials
- C) Burning waste
- D) None of the above
- Why should we recycle?
- A) It costs money
- B) It uses more energy
- C) It helps reduce waste
- D) It is not important
- Which website helps you learn about recycling in England?
- What should you do to help local businesses?
- A) Shop locally
- B) Shop online only
- C) Travel far to shop
- D) Buy only from big stores
- What does ‘carbon footprint’ mean?
- A) How much carbon is in a tree
- B) The amount of carbon dioxide you create
- C) A type of shoe
- D) None of the above
- What is one way to reduce pollution?
- A) Driving everywhere
- B) Walking
- C) Using more plastic
- D) Throwing waste on the ground
- How does recycling help the Earth?
- A) It increases waste
- B) It uses less energy
- C) It creates more pollution
- D) It has no effect
- Where can you recycle in Wales?
- What happens to items that are not recycled?
- A) They disappear
- B) They go to landfills
- C) They are reused
- D) They become new products
- Why is it good to support local farmers?
- A) It increases waste
- B) It helps the local economy
- C) It uses more resources
- D) It does not matter
Medium Level Questions
- How does recycling reduce the need for raw materials?
- A) By making new products from old ones
- B) By throwing everything away
- C) By using more energy
- D) By creating more waste
- What is a landfill?
- A) A place where recycling happens
- B) A place where waste is buried
- C) A shop for used items
- D) A type of transport
- What is one benefit of using public transport?
- A) It creates more traffic
- B) It produces less pollution
- C) It costs more than driving
- D) It takes longer to travel
- How can shopping locally reduce your carbon footprint?
- A) Products travel shorter distances
- B) It encourages more waste
- C) It uses less energy
- D) It has no effect
- Which of the following materials can often be recycled?
- A) Plastic bottles
- B) Food waste
- C) Broken glass
- D) All of the above
- What is the main reason for reducing rubbish?
- A) To fill up landfills
- B) To protect the environment
- C) To create more resources
- D) To increase pollution
- Why should you prefer walking?
- A) It takes longer
- B) It is eco-friendly
- C) It costs money
- D) It is less healthy
- How does buying local help your community?
- A) It makes things more expensive
- B) It supports local jobs
- C) It has no impact
- D) It creates more waste
- When is recycling particularly helpful?
- A) When you throw everything away
- B) When you want to save energy
- C) When you don’t care about waste
- D) When you buy new things
- What can you find on recycling websites?
- A) How to create more waste
- B) What can be recycled and how
- C) How to shop online
- D) None of the above
Hard Level Questions
- What is the relationship between recycling and energy consumption?
- A) Recycling increases energy usage
- B) Recycling decreases energy usage
- C) Recycling has no effect on energy
- D) Recycling uses more resources
- How can reducing your carbon footprint impact climate change?
- A) It has no impact
- B) It contributes to climate change
- C) It helps slow down climate change
- D) It accelerates climate change
- Why is it important to know what can be recycled in your area?
- A) To avoid recycling
- B) To recycle more effectively
- C) It is not important
- D) To increase waste
- What would happen if everyone stopped recycling?
- A) There would be less waste
- B) Landfills would fill up faster
- C) More energy would be saved
- D) It would have no effect
- Which of the following actions contributes the least to environmental protection?
- A) Using public transport
- B) Recycling materials
- C) Driving a car for short trips
- D) Buying from local shops
- What is a sustainable practice in terms of shopping?
- A) Buying only imported goods
- B) Choosing products that are locally made
- C) Using more plastic bags
- D) None of the above
- Why is it beneficial for farmers if you shop locally?
- A) It makes food more expensive
- B) It helps keep farms in business
- C) It reduces the need for fresh produce
- D) It has no effect
- How can education about recycling benefit a community?
- A) By increasing waste
- B) By encouraging responsible waste management
- C) By making recycling harder
- D) By decreasing recycling rates
- Why is it important to reduce rubbish?
- A) To save money
- B) To protect wildlife and natural habitats
- C) It is not important
- D) To have more landfills
- What role does government play in recycling?
- A) They do not participate
- B) They set guidelines and provide information
- C) They only promote waste
- D) They increase pollution
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) Making new products from used materials
- C) It helps reduce waste
- B) www.recyclenow.com
- A) Shop locally
- B) The amount of carbon dioxide you create
- B) Walking
- B) It uses less energy
- B) www.wasteawarenesswales.org.uk
- B) They go to landfills
- B) It helps the local economy
Medium Level Answers
- A) By making new products from old ones
- B) A place where waste is buried
- B) It produces less pollution
- A) Products travel shorter distances
- D) All of the above
- B) To protect the environment
- B) It is eco-friendly
- B) It supports local jobs
- B) When you want to save energy
- B) What can be recycled and how
Hard Level Answers
- B) Recycling decreases energy usage
- C) It helps slow down climate change
- B) To recycle more effectively
- B) Landfills would fill up faster
- C) Driving a car for short trips
- B) Choosing products that are locally made
- B) It helps keep farms in business
- B) By encouraging responsible waste management
- B) To protect wildlife and natural habitats
- B) They set guidelines and provide information
