Which Bag Should You Use?
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Provided by: TED-Ed|Published on: April 27, 2021
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This TED-Ed video compares paper, plastic, and cloth bags to determine which one is the best for the environment.
- Students will learn that the environmental impact of an object, like a bag, is determined by how an object is produced, if it can be reused (and for how long), if it can be recycled, and if it is biodegradable.
Subjects: Social Studies, Biology, Engineering
Authors: Luka Seamus Wright, Imogen Ellen Napper
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video will inspire students to consider all of the environmental factors that go into choosing the right shopping bag.
- The colorful animations will keep students engaged.
Additional Prerequisites
- The link labeled "landfills" in the Dig Deeper section is broken.
- Teachers must create a free account to use the interactive Think and Discuss sections.
Differentiation
- Before watching the video, teachers could ask students which type of bag they think is best for the environment and why. After the video, students could discuss the following questions:
- Did the video make you think differently about the environmental impact of shopping bags? Why?
- Will you change your habits as a consumer?
- Do you think the information in the video would influence people's buying habits? Why or why not?
- How can mindful consumers help fight climate change?
- Civics classes could discuss laws that ban stores from providing single-use plastic bags to customers.
- Other resources on this topic include this activity for building a reusable bag stand, this video on plastic pollution, and this video on the environmental impact of manufacturing a pair of jeans.
When trying to determine what kind of bag is best for the environment, the answer may seem obvious, but the facts might surprise you. This TED-Ed video breaks down the environmental costs of plastic, paper, and cotton tote shopping bags. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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