Lesson Outline
1. Hook (10 minutes)
Teacher shows a short video of cafeteria waste being sorted at a large school.
Quick class poll: “Where do you think most of this waste ends up?”
2. Mini-Lecture & Discussion (15 minutes)
Introduce the Zero-Waste Hierarchy.
Compare landfill, recycling, and composting processes.
Discuss why recycling alone isn’t enough (contamination rates, energy costs).
3. Waste Audit Analysis (15 minutes)
Provide students with a real or fictional data set of one week’s cafeteria waste (e.g., pounds of food waste, single-use packaging, recyclables).
In groups, students identify the top 3 categories of waste.
4. Design Challenge (30 minutes)
Groups create a Zero-Waste Lunch Program plan addressing:
Packaging changes (e.g., reusable trays, bulk dispensers)
Food waste reduction (e.g., share tables, portion options)
Composting systems
Educational campaigns for students and staff
Must include:
A visual diagram of the proposed system
Cost/benefit considerations
Potential challenges and solutions
5. Presentations (15 minutes)
Groups present their plans to the class in a 2-minute “pitch.”
Peers vote on the most creative and most realistic plan.
6. Reflection & Homework
Reflection prompt: “What changes could you make in your daily lunch routine to align with the zero-waste hierarchy?”
Homework: Write a 300-word proposal to the principal advocating for one change you’d like to see implemented.