To observe the difference between degradable and non-degradable wastes.

Materials:

Large glass or plastic jars, or aquarium

Various pieces of garbage to bury small food scraps, bones, metals, cardboard, paper, plastic)

Soil from garden or other outdoor area (not sterilized potting soil)

Water

Plastic wrap

Vocabulary:

Degrade, landfill, decompose, compost

Background:

Landfills run the risk of running out of space. We have to start looking at ways of keeping certain types of waste out of the landfill.

Step 1:

Fill the jar about half full of soil. Add 4 or 5 different pieces of garbage. Keep a list of all the things you put in.

Step 2:

Cover the garbage with more soil. Sprinkle the soil with water and cover the top of the jar with plastic wrap.

Step 3:

Place the jar in a warm place for a bout 10 days. Step 4:

Then empty the contents of the jar onto a newspaper and examine the bits of garbage. Record any changes that you see. Repeat several times to record changes.

Follow up:

Based on your observations, which materials do you think would naturally decompose? Should they be sent to a landfill, or should they be composted?