Where Waste Goes

Steel cans have a recycling journey that is unique from other kinds of cans-they even need to be recycled separately from other waste. Readers learn about the necessary steps to recycle steel cans at recycling plants, such as crushing the metal down, shredding and melting it, and cooling it so it can be remade into new products. The importance of ensuring tin cans stay away from landfills is emphasized, as colorful photographs and clear text guide readers in understanding the need to recycle metal for the environment.

Old receipts, newspapers, and cardboard boxes often find themselves in bins after people are done using them. But what happens next? Readers learn about the new lives paper and cardboard have after they're recycled, as they are taught what pulp is, how paper is dried and rolled, and even how to compost! Vivid images of each process paired with achievable text allow readers to fully grasp the importance of recycling their paper-for the environment and for Earth's future.

You may use a glass jar to drink your beverages from or even to hold flowers, but what happens after you recycle the jar? Readers journey alongside a glass jar in the recycling plant, as they learn about processes such as sorting and machines such as the hammer mill and trommels. Full-color photographs and achievable text emphasize the importance of recycling as readers learn more about what happens when they recycle items and how it helps preserve the environment.

Plastic is found in many everyday items, and many people drink their water from plastic bottles. But plastic is very harmful to the environment. Readers learn the importance of recycling plastic to ensure it can be reused. They explore what happens in a recycling plant, such as sorting the materials, washing them, breaking them down, and melting them together. The negative impact of plastic in landfills and the ocean is emphasized, as full-color photographs and helpful captions guide readers on their recycling journey.