Video

NRRA's SHIP continues navigating the polluted waters spawned from improper disposal of household hazardous waste. We start with learning the signal words (caution, warning, danger) (4-6) and/or visual symbols (7-8) that indicate the presence of hazardous substances in consumer products. Demonstration, singing, safety sign bingo (K-3), toilet paper roll kaleidoscopes (4-6) and discussions all help us identify products that contain hazardous substances. Certain information must appear on hazardous product labels.

All aboard as NRRA's SHIP Captain commands green cleaning techniques for swabbing the deck. The first step to implementing the green cleaning protocol is to discuss the meaning of the word 'hazardous' (4-6). The next step is to inventory the cleaning products on board and map the location of these products from bow to stern (7-8). For entertainment, comedian Scott The Recycle Guy, shares his fact-finding hazardous waste missions (4-6). NRRA's parting gift for SHIP #4 is "Toxic Showdown" (Art by Mark Bennett.

NRRA's third SHIP voyage continues to explore packaging as we head toward Sweden to learn how to turn garbage into energy (4-6). The fun activities scheduled for this journey include making ice cream in a bag (7-8), and bowling on deck using plastic bottles as the bowling pins (K-3)! The lessons learned on this voyage reveal that natural resources are limited and investigate how long our natural resources will last. Students will compare estimated life expectancies of some nonrenewable natural resources (9-12).

NRRA's SHIP Lessons have left the dock for a second voyage. On this voyage, NRRA explores the differences between human-made and natural litter by taking a litter walk (K-3) when we pull into our first island port. After lunch, students measure and categorize their lunch waste and reveal all the things being thrown away (4-6).  On the return voyage, students discuss how some types of packaging are better for the environment than others and analyze their waste producing habits in order to begin changing them (9-12 ).

NRRA's first SHIP, launched during the winter months, resembled the traditional "Blizzard Bag."  A compilation of lesson plans and activities accomplished during a snow day for when teachers do not want to lose their stride due to a disaster.  Lesson #1 (K-3 ) investigates the contents of one's waste,  introduces snowman bingo, and includes a video about litter in the oceans. 

Heather discusses why litter is a problem (K-3).

Join NRRA's member, Josh Whipple, Manager of the Swanzey Recycling Center, as he demonstrates baling plastic recycling without cardboard headers during a Members Operations Marketing meeting. Some plastic vendors no longer accept cardboard headers on plastic bales. The automated debaling process is not able to handle cutting off the cardboard for safety reasons, and it slows down the processing of the plastic when it comes off the truck.