The British Plastics Federation (BPF), in conjunction with PlasticsEurope and RECOUP, has launched a new online recycling resource kit educating students about recycling plastics and the science of polymers.

Tied to the national curriculum and featuring a simple but informative ‘sink-float’ experiment, the new resource aims to turn students into ‘recycling champions’. The resource can be found on the Times Educational Supplement (TES) website at as well as on the BPF’s website.

Teachers can use the free online kit to help students learn how the recycling system works, as well as to explore the scientific properties of different polymers. The sink-float experiment is a hands-on way of learning how recyclers correctly sort distinct types of plastic.

The kit is designed for Key Stage 2 students aged between 7 and 11 years old and the materials needed for the experiments are simple to source. These can be found from milk cartons, empty bottles and plastic bags.

Philip Law, British Plastics Federation Director General, stated, “We hope educating young students about the interesting science behind collecting, sorting and reprocessing plastic waste will help encourage positive participation in recycling and allow young people to see how their actions at home benefit the environment and make a real difference.”

Adrian Whyle, PlasticsEurope Resource Efficiency Senior Manager, commented, “We have welcomed the opportunity to be part of creating this unique plastic recycling resource for schools. Our aim is that by using this valuable resource young citizens will understand the importance of their contribution in driving up recycling rates and the associated reductions in littering.”

Anne Hitch, Head of Citizen and Stakeholder Strategy at RECOUP, added, “These experiments are an engaging way to educating young people about plastics and challenge students to think about the material in a scientific way. I hope that the students will thoroughly enjoy taking part in this free online resource”.

Times Educational Supplement (TES) website:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ks2-recycling-sustainability-polymers-plastics-12532177

BPF’s website:
https://bpf.co.uk/polymer-zone/lesson-plans/default.aspx

The British Plastics Federation (BPF), in conjunction with PlasticsEurope and RECOUP, has launched a new online recycling resource kit educating students about recycling plastics and the science of polymers.

Tied to the national curriculum and featuring a simple but informative ‘sink-float’ experiment, the new resource aims to turn students into ‘recycling champions’. The resource can be found on the Times Educational Supplement (TES) website at as well as on the BPF’s website.

Teachers can use the free online kit to help students learn how the recycling system works, as well as to explore the scientific properties of different polymers. The sink-float experiment is a hands-on way of learning how recyclers correctly sort distinct types of plastic.

The kit is designed for Key Stage 2 students aged between 7 and 11 years old and the materials needed for the experiments are simple to source. These can be found from milk cartons, empty bottles and plastic bags.

Philip Law, British Plastics Federation Director General, stated, “We hope educating young students about the interesting science behind collecting, sorting and reprocessing plastic waste will help encourage positive participation in recycling and allow young people to see how their actions at home benefit the environment and make a real difference.”

Adrian Whyle, PlasticsEurope Resource Efficiency Senior Manager, commented, “We have welcomed the opportunity to be part of creating this unique plastic recycling resource for schools. Our aim is that by using this valuable resource young citizens will understand the importance of their contribution in driving up recycling rates and the associated reductions in littering.”

Anne Hitch, Head of Citizen and Stakeholder Strategy at RECOUP, added, “These experiments are an engaging way to educating young people about plastics and challenge students to think about the material in a scientific way. I hope that the students will thoroughly enjoy taking part in this free online resource”.

Times Educational Supplement (TES) website:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ks2-recycling-sustainability-polymers-plastics-12532177

BPF’s website:
https://bpf.co.uk/polymer-zone/lesson-plans/default.aspx