Don't Throw it in the Garbage: Investigating the Classification and Processing of Recycled Products

The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this lesson plan for students learning about polymers. The exercise will investigate the use of the "three arrow numbering system" for recycling polymers. The lab covers classes of polymers, their uses and physical properties of some thermoplastics. The procedure should take about 40-45 minutes of class time. Discussion questions, teacher notes and a link to a video clip are included.