FREE Sorting Trash - Earth Day Recycling Worksheets (4 Printable Versions!)

It's never too early to start teaching our little ones about the importance of recycling. Help them learn which items they use in everyday life can be recycled and which ones go in the regular trash.

We have provided four versions of the worksheet. Two versions contain a soda cup, which is a little bit more challenging because while many people might think they can be recycled, these 'waxy' paper to-go cups typically cannot be. In the other two versions, we replaced the soda cup with an egg shell, which is much more cut and dry. Also, on two of the worksheets we have replaced the word 'garbage' with 'landfill' because it can be helpful to think about exactly where our trash is going. Regardless of which worksheet(s) you choose to use, we hope they will initiate good classroom discussion about recycling and taking care of our planet.

Simply print out a copy of the worksheet for each student and have them cut out the objects at the bottom. There are 6 objects that go in the garbage/landfill and 6 objects that can be recycled. Items included are: an apple core, bag of chips, water bottle, banana peel, metal can, jelly jar, soda can, glass bottles, stack of newspapers, chicken leg, light bulb, soda cup, and an egg shell. Answer keys are provided for each version.