Did you know that 2,500 pencils come from the average cedar tree, and six different raw materials are needed to make a pop can? Twin River Gr. 5 students wrapped up their “Lifecycle of Stuff” lessons with group presentations this week. Each group gave a very though and unique power point presentation explaining the five different chapters in each of the products stage of production. Every chapter can happen in different parts of the world but amazingly these everyday items are here for us to purchase in the Kootenays. What a journey that jeans, batteries, pencils, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and soccer balls make, all for us to enjoy!!
Discussions were had on how to have less of a negative environmental impact throughout all of these chapters, especially the last chapter -DISPOAL. It is up to us, the consumer, to make these products “loopy” and make sure they find the right path at the end of their life. Some ideas: broken soccer balls can be cut in half and used for a hanging planter. Cut up jeans for craft projects or make a denim quilt. Glass bottles and pop cans can be recycled easily and over and over again. Batteries can be dropped off at the local bottle depot for safe disposal and recycling. Oh and a classic idea – use the pencil until you can’t any longer! Great ideas Gr. 5s and well done on your presentations! 