Each year, 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes, according to research by the Rochester Institute of Technology. Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade, and even then it’s never really gone. It breaks down, causing harm to animals and wildlife, and is eventually ingested by humans. 

Plastic is almost unavoidable in our daily lives. It’s important for us to be aware – and be smart consumers – of when plastic is necessary and when it’s not. 

For instance, in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, plastic is critically important to protect health care workers and others on the front lines. From disposable plastic gloves to face shields to disposable packaging for sterile medical equipment, plastic products keep health care professionals and patients safe. 

But, do all of us really need to be using as many single-use plastic bags or takeout utensils or single-use water bottles? 

Recycling isn’t the answer.  Much of what we use can’t be recycled. Instead, the best solution is to reduce plastic use from the start. 

We know it’s not easy! Several members of our staff took the Plastic-Free Week challenge last year. They learned that it’s hard to avoid plastic but also learned a lot about making smarter choices. 

Earth Week Challenge: How Plastic-Free Can You Be?

What simple changes can you and your family make to reduce plastic use? 

Take our challenge: How Plastic-Free Can You Be? Use this spreadsheet to track your single-use plastic use for one day. 

For this activity, keep a log of how much single-use plastic your household uses in one day. With the spreadsheet, mark each item you use. 

Email us your total and share your thoughts by answering these discussion questions or having a family conversation about the challenge:

• How much plastic did you consume? Were you surprised? 
• What single-use plastic items are you using more of during the current health crisis?
• What unnecessary plastics did you use – and what is a good alternative?

It’s the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and we’re celebrating our big blue planet. This week, we’ll have three special activities for H.O.M.E.School students and their families. 

This week, we will learn how much of the Earth’s water is freshwater, how we as humans use it, and some ways we can conserve and protect the Great Lakes. We’ll also think about the challenges many families face when they’re unable to get access to clean, safe drinking water.

Time/Materials

These activities will take up to 30 minutes per day. 

You’ll need:

• Computer
• Optional: printer and writing utensil

Ready? Head to the Classroom!

Watch the video below to learn about freshwater and the Great Lakes.

Share the Learning

Discuss with you kid(s): Do you think there is a lot of water on planet Earth? What is the difference between saltwater and freshwater? How do you use freshwater? Why are the Great Lakes important to you? What do you think you could do to help preserve the Great Lakes?

Activity

Complete the Know Your H20 Challenge, where you and your household will log water consumption throughout one day. Then discuss how we use water, and what it means to not have water.

Check back Wednesday for the second activity. 

Deep Dive

Want to learn more? Check out these resources!

• Learn more about World Water Day and how to protect our precious water resources from SCARCE – a local organization that supports teachers and individuals in protecting our planet.
• Learn about water conservation practices:
  • Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Sense for Kids page to learn some easy, everyday ways to save water.
    
  • Then take our Know Your H2O Quiz to see if you know how to conserve and protect Great Lakes water.
    
  • Graph your water use logs before and after water conservation practices with our “Water, Water Everywhere” lesson from our Great Lakes in My World K-8 curriculum (Grades 4 & up).
• Review this “Watery World” activity from Atlantic Cup’s Kids Portal to learn more about the freshwater and saltwater on Earth.

Find more Great Lakes lessons at H.O.M.E.School.

Many of us take the water flowing from our taps at home for granted. The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water per day. Living in the Great Lakes region, it’s hard to imagine life without water. 

But many people in Great Lakes communities don’t have access to, or can’t afford, safe, clean water at home. How is this possible? 

Costs for residential water and sewer service are going up, forcing people to make economic trade-offs to pay water and sewer bills. And water is contaminated in many areas — from lead-contaminated drinking water to PFAS contaminated ground water. No one should have to choose between food and clean water.

Access to clean water is more important than ever. Covid-19 has reinforced the deep connection between water and public health. Hand-washing is vital public health advice in this crisis, but you can’t wash your hands, or prevent the spread of this virus, without access to water. 

Earth Week Challenge: Know Your H20

How much water do you or your family use? Can you imagine what it would be like to be without clean water? 

Take our Know Your H20 challenge. Track your water consumption for one day with our water log. And let us know what you learn. 

For the challenge, keep a log of how much water your household uses — download our easy-to-use spreadsheet. 

Mark each time you turn on the tap or use water in your home. Record it all…tooth brushing, washing dishes or running the dishwasher, laundry, showers, toilet flushes, handwashing, using water for drinking or cooking, etc.

The spreadsheet will automatically tally up how many gallons you use.

Email us your total and share your thoughts by answering these discussion questions or having a family conversation about the challenge:

• What does your daily water use add up to?
• Were you surprised by the final number?
• What would your day be like without clean water from the tap?
• What are easy steps you can take to conserve water?
• How can you help ensure others have access to safe, clean water?