IT can be hard to keep the kids busy over the Easter holidays – without breaking the bank.
But experts from the Glasgow Science Center have teamed up with green charity Zero Waste Scotland to come up with three brilliant activities – which are fun and teach young people about the planet.
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As food waste is the main driver of climate change in Scotland, experts continue to teach children the value of the food we collect.
It can replace fossil fuels, fruit peels can become cleaning products, eggshells can become plant foods, and designers are even experimenting with materials like coffee grounds used to make glasses.
Recycling your food waste gives it a role in protecting the environment, rather than contributing to food waste.
Try some of these fun activities with your kids – and the adults might learn something too.
The methane balloon
EVER wanted to know what happens to your food when it’s recycled properly vs when it’s landfilled?
Well now you can experience that at home with the methane balloon activity.
To find out how food waste releases gas when it rots, try this experiment at home: you will need two plastic bottles, two balloons, tape, a spoon, scissors and food waste, like carrot or potato peelings.
Pour the food waste into a recycled plastic bottle, then take a balloon and tie it to the top of the bottle, gluing it to secure.
Do the same with a second bottle but without the food waste.
Store both bottles in a warm, dry place and check
balloons every day to see the difference. The one with the waste should expand as methane – a gas harmful to the planet – is produced.
Make a homemade composter
COMPOST is a great way to feed your garden and creates bacteria that can help break down plants when you no longer need them.
You will need an empty, rinsed out two-liter bottle, a thumbtack, a plastic tray, soil, fruit and vegetable scraps, scrap paper, leaves, a spray bottle filled with water and scissors.
Cut off the top of the bottle then use the thumbtack to poke
holes in the bottom of the bottle for drainage.
Place the bottle on a tray then add some soil, paper and old leaves then use the spray bottle to wet this bottom layer of material. Add the freshest items, such as vegetable peelings, leftover food, grass, or eggshells.
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Then place the composter in a place where it will receive a good amount of sunlight, such as a windowsill. Water gently and stir daily.
Bacteria will help the freshest items decompose and all items
will eventually turn into compost for use in your garden.
Regrow Vegetables From Leftovers
Did you know that vegetables can regrow from leftovers you may already have?
This activity is a great way to reduce food waste and learn about climate change.
You will need the bulky end of celery, stalk of green onion or romaine lettuce, a shallow dish – if using celery or lettuce – or a glass jar – if using green onion – water, a ruler and paper.
Place the end of your chosen vegetable in a shallow dish or glass jar and pour enough water into the dish to create a depth of about 1cm, then place it on a sunny windowsill or counter . Change the water every other day.
Take a sheet of paper and draw two columns with date and height headings to record the changes.
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