Recycling is a central component of municipal environmental policy. It reduces mountains of waste, saves resources and protects the climate. Functioning recycling structures are indispensable in cities and municipalities - from recycling bins to depots and public relations work.
Local authorities operate recycling centres, commission waste disposal companies, monitor waste separation in public buildings and are responsible for education and public participation. This is not just about separating waste correctly, but also about keeping recyclable materials in the cycle - for example paper, glass, plastic, tyres or scrap metal. Construction waste, electronic waste and old tyres can also be recycled.
The aim is consistent waste avoidance and recycling: less residual waste, more recycling, more reuse. Local authorities can set a good example here - through sustainable procurement, internal sorting systems or information campaigns. Recycled products such as furniture made from recycled plastic or safety flooring made from rubber granulate are also increasingly being used.
Sustainable municipal action in terms of recycling means
Take a look at the introduction to the topic Video for the recycling of used tyres
Administrative employees are often involved in procurement processes, public relations work or construction projects. They can play an active role here and, for example, help to ensure that sustainable recycled products are given greater consideration in public procurement. However, they can also pass on information about the importance of recycling and the use of recycled products or organise municipal processes in a more sustainable way.
Learning objectives of this lesson:
How well is your local authority/training centre set up for recycling? A checklist will help you to recognise strengths and weaknesses - and to develop suggestions for improvement.
Task: Enter "Yes", "Partly" or "No" for each criterion. Add your own examples or ideas. Discuss in small groups and draw up three concrete proposals for strengthening municipal recycling. The results are presented in a short presentation.
Learning objective: Recognising municipal recycling measures in the immediate vicinity and developing suggestions for improvement.
Not all supposed waste belongs in the residual waste. Much of it can still be used or recycled - but only if it is sorted correctly. Whether it's the yellow bag, paper container, used tyre disposal or recycling centre: those who know their way around protect the environment and resources.Â
Tip: Use the task as a team game in class: Who sorts correctly the quickest? Discuss unclear cases in plenary.
Learning objective: Deepen everyday knowledge of recycling and confidently categorise typical types of waste.
Task: Where to dispose of municipal waste? Allocate the supposed waste objects to the correct disposal route! Attention: three of the objects do not belong in the rubbish, but can still be used!
More and more local authorities are developing creative recycling projects - from repair cafés and recycling centres with educational opportunities to the reuse of building materials. These projects show: With ideas, co-operation and commitment, recycling can be put into practice locally.
Task: Work in small teams (2-4 people) and research a specific recycling project in a municipality of your choice. Use municipal websites or newspaper articles. The aim is to create a clear information sheet or a presentation for the classroom - with the following content:
Learning objective: Research, prepare and critically evaluate successful municipal recycling examples. Recognise own transfer possibilities.
Used tyres are considered problematic waste - but their material recycling offers great opportunities. For example, the rubber/rubber from tyres can be used to produce rubber granulate, which is used to manufacture a wide range of high-quality products for municipal urban development - e.g. impact protection surfaces for playgrounds or structural protection for green roofs.
Task 1: Put the used tyre recycling stations in the correct order by holding down the left mouse button. Ready? Click on the CHECK button to see how many correct answers you have. Good luck!
Task 2: What recyclable materials are in tyres and how can they be used?Â
Task 3: Where could products made from tyre rubber granulate be used in your municipality? Find at least three examples.
In a quiz, you can test your knowledge of the advantages and possibilities of municipal recycling in a fun way. We have prepared ten questions. Several of the four alternative answers can be correct.
Task: Select the correct answer(s) for each of the ten questions. The quiz can be completed individually or in groups. Who is the recycling champion?
You can issue students and trainees with a certificate of attendance to document their successful participation in the eight lessons. The Free template for the certificate can be requested here without obligation.
To better convey the lesson content in class, you can free of charge and without obligation request a sample pack with material samples, information brochures and demo products.
The package contains samples of coloured rubber granulate, samples of high-quality recycled products made from tyre rubber granulate and a sample box with samples of sustainable floor coverings for roofs.
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