Natures Cycles
Biodegrading
Where to put it?
Disposal Methods
Packing
100

Name the cycle that is responsible for there being enough oxygen for people and animals to breathe.

Air Cycle 

100

What type of organisms help plant and animal waste biodegrade?

Decomposers

100

Where is the best place to dispose of dead batteries?

The eco-station

100

Name one disadvantage of incinerating garbage.

It causes air pollution.

100

What does this symbol mean on packaging?


The packaging can be recycled.

200

Which cycle are decomposers a part of?

Soil Cycle 

200

Why would a leaf biodegrade faster than a banana peel?

Because a leaf is smaller and easier for decomposers to break down.

200

Where should you put paper when you are finished using it?

Recycling bin

200

What are 2 disadvantages to composting?

It takes more effort that throwing things away; you need supplies; it smells bad

200

Based on the flowchart, which two materials can be made of tree pulp?


Paper to be made into sheets, and cardboard to be made into boxes.

300

Letter C is the known as _________ in the water cycle:

Precipitation

300

What will happen if you bury a plastic bottle today and check on it in 80 years from now? Why?

It will look just the same - but dirtier - because plastic bottles never biodegrade

300

Name 3 things that can go in a class/home compost bin.

Answers may include:

  • orange/banana peels

  • apple/pear cores

  • veggie scraps

  • newspaper

  • dead leaves

  • others with teacher approval 
300

Why is it a good idea to compost? Give 3 reasons.

  • allows for more space at landfills

  • makes soil more nutrient rich

  • provides food for decomposers

  • helps the soil cycle

  • prevents pollution caused by moisture in food scraps when it mixes with chemicals

  • other answers with teachers approval

300

Based on the flowchart, what must happen before we have recycled paper towels and cereal boxes?


First we must recycle the cardboard boxes and break them down into pulp again.

400

Which part of the air is an animal waste product?

Carbon Dioxide 

400

Name three types of decomposers.

Fungi, Bacteria and Insects are the main categories

Worms, insects, fungi, bacteria, mold, mildew - examples

400

Tell where each of the following items should go:

  • glass bottle

  • plastic bottle

  • dirty diaper

  • used car oil

  • watermelon rind

  • old shirt that no longer fits

  • glass bottle - recycling bin

  • plastic bottle - recycling bin

  • dirty diaper - garbage

  • used car oil - eco-station

  • watermelon rind - compost

  • old shirt that no longer fits - donation bin

400

Name an advantage of incinerating garbage and explain why it’s good. 

Incinerating garbage makes it take up less space. This is good because landfills take up a lot of space that could be used for something else.

400

Which is a more environmentally smart package and why?


There is not nearly as much plastic material between the chocolates.


500

Name two examples of plant waste 

- oxygen

- stems 

- dead leaves 

- fallen fruit 

500

Put these things in order of shortest to longest time spent biodegrading:

  • glass bottle

  • paper

  • leather shoe

  • orange peel

  • paper

  • orange peel

  • leather shoe

  • glass bottle

500

What does BLECO stand for?

Batteries, Lights, Electronics, Chemicals, Old paint cans & Oils 

500

Name two advantages and two disadvantages to reduce/reuse/recycle as a disposal method.

  • saves space in landfills

  • less pollution

  • items may still be useful to reuse in a different way

Disadvantages:

  • takes a lot of effort from people

  • not everything can be disposed of this way

  • recycling things still takes a lot of energy and resources

(other answers with teachers approval)

500

Name 3 things you can do about the packaging problem.

 use reusable bags

- check for items that use recycled materials in their packaging

- buy things without packages if possible

- reuse then recycle packages when you are finished with them

- don’t buy the item at all unless you need it

- shop for products that can be refilled