RECYCLING / WASTE MANAGEMENT Merit Badge ?

[Guneukitschik]

Sooner or later everyone has trash to deal with? why not allow scouts to explore what happens to all our trash...whether it's recycled into other products...dumped in a landfill...etc.

The Scouts could maybe even come up with useful products to be made from recycled materials. (possible Eagle Project?)

[BM_Crawford]

That's a GREAT idea!!!!! I went to Conservation School and they touched that a little bit but I think its very important to know that stuff and maybe it could help to teach scouts how to recycle. Me for instance; I do not know how to recycle because my community does not host recycling they only do trash and I feel sick everytime I through away a plastic bottle.

I realllllllly like your idea keep me posted! BM_Crawford@msn.com

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Sounds good to me! This could even be an addition to the World Conservation Award?

[Guneukitschik]

I'll have to try and come up with some possible requirements.

Is there an average or minimum amount of info to cover for merit badges... I know what most of the current badges require...I was wondering about coming up with a new mb?

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Yes, a seperate mb for this and then add it to the list of required for the World Conservation Award.

[BM_Crawford]

Good idea!

[Wyvern]

a requirement could be to name 5 ways of recycling plastic, metal, and glass materials (such as bottles)

[Guneukitschik]

That's a good one...

You could also add...

Visit/tour a local recycling center, landfill, transfer station, etc.

Find out what items are recycled in your area

List products that are made from recycled materials

Find out how much trash the US dumps in landfills each day, month, year

[optimist]

That made me think of something but I think it would need to be one of the optional type requirements.

"If your community doesn't have a community sponsored recycling program, make a presentation to your local council or commission or other group of local leaders on the benefits of such a program."

[Guneukitschik]

That's a good one...perhaps even an eagle scout project...start a recycling program in your area.

[Kathy Ann]

I think this is a very good idea for a merit badge. Troop 551 from Pennsylvania works one Sunday a month with a local recycling center. I think this would be a great merit badge for all boys. They would also find out what is recycleable and what is not. :D

[Wyvern]

Another idea:

Name 2 ways of safely disposing of non-recycleable materials.

Also there could be something on how to manage waste in your home.....?

[krdupes]

I love this idea! I drill into my kids and my scouts how important it is to reduce, reuse, & recycle. The girl scouts have a recycling badge & patch, so why shouldn't the boys have one?!
Krista

[STEVE BROOKS]

Our District held an environment and conservation themed camporee last weekend. One of the invited representatives was form the city’s department of recycling. They put on an excellent demonstration about what’s “too good to throw away” and why it is important to spread the word about recycling. Various other agencies instructed the scouts in Leave No Trace, Bio-Diesel, Hybrid Automobiles, Water and Energy Conservation.
I came away with a greater appreciation for the agencies that want to protect our planet for the next century and I also believe there definitely should be an ecology merit badge.

[tdfoxsr736]

I think that if there is to be such a MB, that you must incude requirements that discuss hazardous waste as well as solid waste. I also believe that other MB's should talk about environmental contamination as well. Geology, Surveying, Chemistry, Emergency Preparedness, Energy, Oceanography, and Soil and Water Conservation. Not only from an awareness standpoint, but for career choices. People who get degrees in these fields often work in environmental careers. I for one am among those. I have a degree in biology, and I work as an Environmental Scientist. With a science degree, you can wear many hats.

[lifescoutforlife]

This is the best idea have have heard for a new merit badge in a long time.

[Lynda J]

GREAT IDEA FOR THE BIRTH OF A NEW AND VERY INTERESTING MERIT BADGE.

What about contacting a company like Waste Management to see if they would sponsor this badge. That is what happen with Composit Material.
Some company sponsored the badge and helped develope it.