Requirements: (Is now converted to a patch program at NW Great Lakes Council )

Recycling Interest Project For Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors A patch program for troops or groups who are interested in learning about recycling.

Complete eight (8) of the following eleven (11) sets of activities, including the required Take Action component.

Junk Collector Learn how to save and store five different types of recyclable materials. Find out how these recyclable products are used and if you could recycle these materials in your community.

Trash Watcher Keep a record of the garbage discarded by your family or school for one week. Weigh the garbage each time it is taken out. At the end of the week, total the amounts.

1. After one week, analyze your survey and make some suggestions as to how you could decrease the amount.

2. Set up a system for your family or school to recycle at least three types of materials: newspapers, aluminum cans, cardboard, tin cans, plastic, etc.

3. Garbage Journey Find out what happens to trash that leaves your home. Is any of it recycled? If possible, visit the disposal site and find out how trash is handled.

Get Creative Plan and take part in a skit, play, puppet or slide show that shows what will happen if people do not care about recycling. Present it to another group such as younger Girl Scouts, school children or civic groups.

On the Job Learn about a career associated with recycling. What education is required? What future careers may be created?

Share Your Knowledge Recycling Talk with a younger troop or group about recycling and its importance. Encourage them to work on recycling.

Composting 1. Discuss compost – what is it, what’s the process in making it, and how can it be used?

2. Have each girl bring a plastic bag full of organic waste materials such as apple cores, coffee grounds, grass clippings, egg shells, etc.

3. Break and chop the organic waste into small pieces and mix. Put materials into a large container, alternating layers: a thick layer of organic materials, a thin layer of soil, a sprinkle of fertilizer, and repeat. Moisten with water.

4. Cover the mixture with an inch of soil and add earthworms to aid other soil decay or other organisms to “stir” the soil.

5. Community Cleanup Participate in a Community Cleanup project.

Write On Conduct a poster, poetry or essay contest on recycling awareness. Set rules, deadlines and criteria for winners.

Environmental Friend Learn about different kinds of environmental pollution and things that can be done to control each kind.

Take Action *Required* Help your troop carry out a recycling project. It may include a letter-writing campaign to a local business or industry to encourage them to recycle or use recycled products, a recycling day to encourage neighbors to recycle, a garage sale to recycle household goods to different families, a uniform exchange to recycle uniforms to younger Girl Scouts, etc. Try to involve your whole community!