Choice is Yours, The, Instructional Video, Grades: 6-12, 55 minutes. This video is an overview of recycling and the many aspects that affect it. Includes information on landfills, recycling centers, office recycling, innovative uses of recycled products, and ways to minimize waste, etc.

Collecting Plastics (1995) American Plastics Council, 23 minutes. This video highlights the design and major findings of six Model Cities Demonstration Programs.

Complete Home Composting Video Guide, The (1993) Vernal Productions. Ecological Horticulturist Howard Stenn narrates this comprehensive video on composting. Both home and apartment dwellers will benefit from Howard’s expert instruction and advice on everything from basic yard composting to hot composting to kitchen composting.

Complete the Circle: How To Buy Recycled (1996) Environmental Defense Fund, Grades: 9-Adult, 27 minutes. This half hour documentary describes the life-cycle of recycled products. Joanne Woodward, spokesperson in this video, explains how to find recycled products and how to distinguish true recycled products from misleading product claims. This video explains how to “Complete the Circle”; not only is it important to recycle, but to make it work, you must also buy products made from recycled material.

Compost: Truth or Consequences (1998) Cornel Waste Management Institute, 16 minutes. How do I decide what to put in my compost bin? My compost stinks! What do I do? I want my pile to get hot. How big should I make it? This video teaches the science behind the solutions. Using a quiz show format to present common questions, it shows home composters learning how to provide the right conditions for composting without problems. The information is presented in an informal, entertaining way to make learning about composting fun! Compost....because a rind is a terrible thing to waste!

Design: e2 (2006) PBS Home Video, narrated by Brad Pitt 80 minutes. 9-Adult. This DVD masterfully shot in high-definition, introduces us to the inventive leaders and technologies driving sustainable practices worldwide in the design of buildings where we live, work, and play.

Earth Aid: Recycling (1996) V.I.E.W. Video, 17 minutes. Teaches how to recycle various items. Heavy on statistics. Ed Begley, Jr. demonstrates tips that cost nothing, but help reduce waste through recycling, reuse and recycling.

Ecological Footprint: Accounting for a Small Planet, The (2005) Global Footprint Network, Grades: 9-Adult, 30 minutes. This DVD introduces the Ecological Footprint, a resource accounting tool that measures human demand on the Earth.

Global Warming: This Signs and the Science (2006) DVD PBS Home Video,60 minutes, hosted and narrated by Alanis Morrisette, 9- adult.. This documentary profiles people who are living with the grave consequences of a changing climate, as well as the individuals, communities and scientists inventing new approaches to safeguard our children’s future. Filmed across the U.S., Asia, and South America, this program brings the reality of climate change to life and offers viewers a variety of ways to make a difference in their own communities.

Going Green: How to Reduce Your Garbage (1991) Rhea Productions, Grades: 5-Adult, 22 minutes. The Tomichich family shows what one family can do to help the environment. They show how to set up and operate a home recycling system along with how to shop for environmental friendly products, safe cleaners, etc.

Greening Business (1994) David Springbett, Grades: 7-Adult, 15/20 minutes (in 2 parts for classroom use). This film shows that businesses that adopt sound environmental practices are usually rewarded with a better bottom line.

Growing Dreams (2000) National Film Board of Canada, Grades: 4-8, 19 minutes (closed captioned). Growing Dreams gives an inspirational overview of school ground greening. It shows what kids have done to transform bare pavement into dream schoolyards: growing trees for shade, flowers for butterflies, vegetables for a food bank; building a greenhouse, a rooftop garden and constructing a courtyard pond as an outdoor classroom and refuge for wildlife.

Help Save Planet Earth: Easy Ways to Make a Difference (1990) MCA Home Video, Inc., 1 hour 11 minutes. Join Ted Danson, Beau Bridges, Lloyd Bridges, Jamie Lee Curtis, Whoopi Goldberg, Sally Kellerman, Cheech Marin, John Ritter, Sinbad, and other concerned celebrities to help clean up our world. This entertaining and informative guide can show you and your family how to: keep a non-toxic home, learn the latest energy-saving ideas that will help you save money too, learn what can be done to protect our ozone layer, conserve water and make it cleaner, save animal lives and protect endangered species, preserve the world’s valuable natural resources, reduce, reuse and recycle, learn more about important issues and voice your concerns so they are heard.

It’s Eco-Logic (1996) Lighthouse Island Management, Grades: 4-8, 16 minutes. Twelve year old Michael thinks his science teacher has gone too far with his homework assignment. How is a kid supposed to save the earth? Michael turns on his computer and gets some unexpected help from Severn Cullis-Suzuki, the youngest winner of the Global 500 Environment Award. She and some friends show Michael that there are lots of things kids like him can do to preserve and protect our environment. All it takes is a little common sense. It’s Eco-Logic! Also contains a Teacher’s Guide.

It’s Gotten Rotten (1996) Cornell University & Photosynthesis Productions, Grades: 9-12, 20 minutes. This video introduces the science of composting, focusing primarily on the biology of theinvertebrates and microorganisms that decompose organic matter. In this program students design and use both indoor and outdoor composting systems, and scientifically investigate the process, making observations, recording data, and interpreting results. With simple measurements of temperature, weight and other observed changes, they chart the process. Using powerful microscopes students examine the tiny world of composting organisms. And finally, they use the finished compost to grow plants both in the classroom and in an urban community garden. Includes a Teacher’s guide.

Magic School Bus: Holiday Special (2002) DVD Atalantic/WEA, 1hour thirty minutes. Ms. Fizzle (voice by Lily Tomlin) brings her class to the local recycling plant owned by her cousin Murph (Dolly Parton). There young Wanda becomes upset when a toy soldier she had intended to donate in exchange for Nutcracker tickets winds up getting recycled instead. When Wanda wishes aloud that “recycling was never invented: Ms. Fizzle and Murph show Wanda and her classmates what a mess the world would be in.

Planet Neighborhood (1997) WETA-TV, Grades: 5-9, 10 minutes each. Planet Neighborhood is a three part series – The Home, The Car, and Wetlands Technology – looking at the latest in energy saving technology and good design. Hosted by Bill McDonough, architect, environmental designer, and Dean of the School of Architecture, University of Virginia.

Wetlands Technology - classroom module - 10 minutes. Orlando, Florida grew so fast that it overburdened its sewage treatment plants and polluted local rivers. The city turned to a new “technology,” artificial wetlands built on an old farm. The wetlands cleans the water so well that the site now hosts a huge variety of wildlife. In Burlington, VT they have turned to “living machines” designed by John Todd and built in concrete tanks. Using everything from micro bacteria to fish and living plants, sewage treatment has never looked or smelled so good. Finally in Chattanooga, TN, students at Howard H.S. are building a wetlands model that they hope to expand to help clean up the Chattanooga Creek, a superfund site.

The Car - classroom module - 10 minutes. Thanks to the ingenuity of people in the scrap metal business, automobiles are the most well recycled of all common industrial products (75%). The remaining “fluff” is mostly made up of an ever-increasing number of plastics. Mark Lieberman has found a way to clean old plastic bumpers and recycle the plastic into the same quality as the original bumpers; and automobile manufacturers are looking at reducing the number of plastics and are beginning to design for disassembly.

The Home - classroom module - 10 minutes. Like many other towns Bellport, Long Island, has a garbage problem. School children were getting sick from toxic fumes given off by the landfill that was eventually closed and replaced with an incinerator. Art Cooley, a veteran activist, discovered that 30% of the waste stream was compostable and persuaded his neighbors to start composting on a massive scale; while teacher Betty Gundlach teaches her students about the need to cut back on packaging entering the home by shopping wisely.

Recycle This! (1990) Dow Chemical Company, Grades 6-12, 37 minutes. A rock-n-roll music video singing about the problem of overcrowded landfills. The reduce, reuse and recycle process is presented and discussed. Somewhat dated but entertaining. Taped live at Reseda High School, Reseda, CA. (There is a swear word at the beginning of the video)

Recycling - The Earth At Risk (1993) Schlessinger Video Productions, Grades 5-12, 25 minutes. Discusses the importance of recycling. Former MTV host Kevin Seal presents this fascinating and fun look at the most important environmental issues of our time. Based on Chelsea House Publishers highly acclaimed series of books, these programs make science enjoyable by showing actual environmental projects, vivid nature footage, plus interviews with leading experts. Colorful and interesting.

Recycling Is Fun (1991) Bullfrog Films, Grades K-4, 12 minutes. Three 8-10 year olds investigate the properties of recycling, reducing and reusing, demonstrated in visits to a landfill, a recycling center, and a supermarket. The hazards created by excess garbage are shown, waste management is described and methods for reducing waste are presented. Includes a Teacher’s guide.

Recycling - It’s Everybody’s Job (1992) National Geographic Society, Grades 4-8, 20 minutes. This video explains and explores recycling and follows trash from household recycling bins through collection to a separation plant, where the materials get sorted. Viewers will see examples of how items in a bag of trash can be made useful again. They will visit an aluminum recycling plant. A classroom project teaches students how to recycle newspaper. It shows how recycling helps solve the garbage problem by reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and saving energy. Includes a Teacher’s guide.

Recycling - The Endless Circle (1992) National Geographic Society, Grades 6-12, 23 minutes. This video shows how we can reduce, reuse, and recycle to bring our solid waste problems under control. It examines the causes of our garbage glut and the ways that industries, communities, and individuals are working to solve these problems. Includes a Teacher’s guide.

Recycling with Worms (1995) Bullfrog Films, Grades 3-8, 12 minutes. This is a fast-paced and humorous video. A youthful host first explains the problems of garbage production and disposal, and then the basics of recycling and composting. She introduces the concept of the worm bin, and shows us how to build and operate a small classroom size vermicomposter. Includes a Teacher’s guide.

Rethink - Pollution Prevention Pays (1995) Video-tech Ltd, Grades 7-Adult, 10 minutes. This short video tackles a large subject and cuts it down to size. It argues that the three Rs - reduce, recycle and reuse are not enough. It’s time to add a fourth R - rethink, because whether or not we reuse or recycle a product, eventually it lands in a landfill. It’s time to rethink how we can reduce, substitute, or eliminate pollution in the first place. Preventing pollution helps the environment, saves resources, and can make a substantial improvement in a business’s bottom line. Various examples of effective rethinking in industry are given, from a national brewery to a hotel chain to an urban landscaping company. Then each one of us is challenged to rethink our own lifestyles and see how we can eliminate harmful chemicals and wasteful practices at home.

Sandbox, The (1995) National Board of Canada, Grades: Pre K, 13 minutes. Children and their small friend Bear, are making a world in a sandbox. This tape is a good discussion starter to introduce various environmental themes and to engage young children in speaking about ethics and values.

#2. Wonderful World of Recycle – Grades: Pre-K-2, 13 minutes. A woman tells the adventures of Susan and Paul in the Wonderful World of Recycle. It incorporates recycling centers in a storybook theme.

#3. The Rotten Truth - Grades 3-6, 30 minutes. Produced for the PBS Science series “3-2-1 Contact,” this video is educational television at its best. It makes effective use of humor, music, action, and features a delightful young narrator. The problems of solid waste disposal are explored and solutions are discussed. The video maintains a positive tone despite the seriousness of the subject.

#4. Recycle This - previously discussed in this packet.

Science of Biological Decomposition: Effective Composting Methods, The (1996) San Luis Video Publishing, 33 minutes. Learn about all types of composting methods and start at the microscopic level to learn about the wide array of micro and macroorganisms which work to break down organic matter into humus.

Simple Steps to a Greener Home (2008) Danny Seo. This DVD shows that it really is easy being green and shares the creative ideas on modern, eco-friendly living. From flooring to restoring, remodeling to recycling. Ideas for turning your homes into an Earth-friendly oasis proving that green living can be gorgeous living too.

Six Degrees Could Change the World (2007) DVD. As seen on National Geographic Channel. By the year 2100, many scientists believe that the Earth’s average temperature could rise by as much s six degrees Celsius. In a compelling investigation, National Geographic leads a degree by degree journey to explore that each rising and critical degree could mean for the future of our people and planet.

Story of Stuff, The – Annie Leonard, From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. This is a 20 minute fast paced, fact filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.

Surfer, Garbageman and Lady in the Sky (1993) California Environmental Protection Agency, Grades: 7-12, 14 minutes. A “tool cool for school” teenager falls asleep during class only to dream about environmental matters. He meets Father Earth (Garbageman), who teaches him about hazardous wastes, Lady in the Sky, who teaches him about protecting the air, and Surferman who teaches him about water conservation. This prompts an attitude change in the student and places him on a course of action. It shows how one individual’s attitude can make a difference. This is an excellent video and highly recommended. The students will enjoy it and the message is clear.

Trashed (2006) OXI productions, LLC, Grades: 9-Adult, 77 minutes. The film analyzes the causes and effects of the seemingly innocuous act of “taking out the garbage” while showcasing the individuals, activists, corporate and advocacy groups working to affect change and reform the current model.

Up Close & Toxic (2002) Canadian Broadcasting Corp., 45 minutes. This tape provides an informational wake-up call in an entertaining manner, makes the sources of indoor pollution easy to understand, and provides tips for safer practices, materials, and cleaning agents.

Where Does My Garbage Go? (2000) Bullfrog Films, Grades K-5, 26 minutes. The film takes us on two fascinating trips, to the landfill with our regular garbage, and to the recycling plant with our newspaper, cans, glass and plastic. Children lead the way and provide commentary, along with New Yorker cartoonist Ed Koren’s “furry creature,” who gives us the facts. Award-winning Sesame Street songwriters provide the catchy music and lyrics that accompany the videotape. A discussion guide is included.

Where the Garbage Goes (1997) Fred Levine Productions, Grades: K-12, 29 minutes. Jump into the driver’s seat of all the haulers, grinders, dozers, loaders and compactors used at a state-of-the-art waste handling facility. Kids and grown-ups alike will become excited about recycling when they see this video.

Wormania! (1995) Flowerfield Enterprises, Grades: 1-6, 26 minutes. Features Mary Appelhof as Worm Woman and Songwriter Billy B. Brennan. Wormania! features close-ups of live earthworms in their natural habitat. Footage includes worms foraging for food, a baby worm hatching from a cocoon, and worms mating. Microscopic views of a worm’s 5 beating hearts show anatomy and physiology by non-invasive means. Demonstrates how to set up a worm bin, shows how worms breed and their role in building soil. Silly songs by Billy B. teach and reinforce the concepts presented. This video may be stopped near middle of tape before discussion of how worms mate. Includes Teaching guide. Please preview first.

Worm Bin Creatures Alive Through a Microscope (1998) Warren A. Hatch, Grades: 1-12, 31 minutes. This captivating video, part of the Wormworks video series, zeroes in on the tiny organisms often seen but rarely identified in a worm bin. Under Warren’s microscope, well-lit, colorful, and in focus, busy little creatures such as springtails and mites amuse and entertain as they busily go about in search of food or shelter. Concise, interesting, and informative narration makes this video not only fun to watch, but an excellent teaching tool for all ages.

Worm Farming Vermiculture; The Natural Way (2004) Growing Power Productions, Grades: 9-Adult, 60 minutes. This instructional video teaches step-by-step processes to produce virile organic soil and fertilizer using organic wastes from within your community. From small containers to large scale operations, employing worms to create your fertile soil is easier than you think.

Yes, I Can (1994) The Steel Recycling Institute, Grades: K-3, 15 minutes. This video conveys the benefits of recycling as the students follow the adventure of Young Juice Can, Daily Newspaper, and Texas Hot Sauce as they make their way from the trash can to the grocery store shelf after being recycled. A Teaching guide is included.