Science - Year 3/4B Spring 1 Living Things and their Habitats Habitat Helpers Session 4 Teaching PowerPoint © Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.

They have all been spoilt by the things that humans throw away How have humans changed these habitats? They have all been spoilt by the things that humans throw away

The things humans throw away do not just spoil the way a habitat looks, they can also be very dangerous for the wildlife that live there. This plastic can holder is caught around the duck’s beak and it is cutting into the back of his head. He would die if he was not rescued in time. This goose is being choked around its neck by another plastic can holder.

What has happened to these animals? Why is it dangerous for them?

Why do humans throw things away? Almost all the food and drink we buy comes in packaging How many different packaging materials can you see here? Make a list. Are there any other types of packaging material you can think of?

It isn’t just our food and drink that comes in packaging Shampoos, bath and shower products, sun lotions, soap, toothpaste … Toys It isn’t just our food and drink that comes in packaging All kinds of things people buy online Household cleaning products, washing up liquid, polish … And so much more!

All this adds up to a mountain of waste! But what can we do with it?

The rubbish we put in our bins gets taken away by the local council in special lorries.

So what’s the problem? Some waste gets taken to incinerator plants (huge furnaces which burn the waste). Most of it is tipped out onto landfill sites. Sometimes these sites are old pits or quarries (large holes in the ground) that can be filled up with waste. Other sites are simply rubbish dumps which become mountains of waste. Incinerators pollute the air with greenhouse gases and other chemicals that are harmful for the environment. Landfill sites are filling up fast. We need to find better ways of getting rid of our waste!

So what can we do to help? But what does this mean?

1. The best thing you can do is to reduce the amount of waste that you produce. There are lots of ways you could do this. Can you think how?

   X X X Here are a few ideas to reduce your waste Buying loose fruit and vegetables reduces the amount of plastic packaging you use  X Drinking tap water from a refillable bottle, reduces the number of plastic bottles you use  X Taking your own shopping bag reduces the number of carrier bags you use  X

2. The second best thing you can do is to reuse something that’s already been used by you or someone else Any ideas?

  X X Here are a few ideas of ways to reuse items Turn something old into something new instead of throwing it away. This can reuse all kinds of things  X Buy second hand things, or give away your old things when you’ve finished with them. This reuses clothes and lots more!  X

3. The third best thing you can do is to recycle your waste. What is recycling?

You probably know something about recycling already Lots of everyday materials can be recycled. This means they are collected and made into something useful again. You probably know something about recycling already

So let’s recap on how to help cut down on waste and help our habitats 1. Reduce The very best thing you can do is reduce your waste by cutting it down as much as you can. 2. Reuse The next best thing is to reuse as much as you possibly can 3. Recycle If you can’t reuse it then try to recycle it (glass, metal, card, paper, clothes, batteries and many plastics can be recycled) 4. Bin it Only bin something if it can’t be reused or recycled! Always bin it carefully and make sure you never, ever drop litter as this will be dangerous or even fatal to wildlife and it will ruin habitats