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‘Which Way-ste is best?’
Role play
Aim of activity
The aim of this activity is to facilitate the group in discussing the three main
methods of treating residual waste:
1. Mechanical Biological Treatment with AD
2. Thermal Recovery
3. Landfill
The activity allows groups to research and present a case for one of the above. They
are then encouraged to choose the technology that they prefer as a waste solution.
Scenario
By using a role play scenario, the students have to think of wider issues than just
the actual technology. They are encouraged to consider other environmental and
social impacts when choosing a waste solution.
The scenario of the role play is as follows:
•
A small town is looking for a solution to their treatment of residual waste. They have the choice of the 3 options above. They have invited three companies to
give a presentation of why their technology is the solution that should be chosen.
•
The students are split into three groups and represent one of the companies (As
an alternative to extend this activity - a fourth group could be the local citizens).
•
The groups prepare and deliver a short presentation to the local Council /
Mayor / citizens.
Whilst the companies prepare their presentations – the citizen group could be
discussing and listing all their concerns – they would still need to do a little
research on all 3 technologies
•
Following the presentations – the group consider all the information as individuals
(or citizens / Council / Mayor group) and vote on which technology is their
preferred choice for the town. It may be that individuals have been persuaded
by one of the other technologies than the one they actually researched.
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Teacher / Group leader instructions
•
Set the scenario and assign groups
•
Give each group the appropriate “Company Pack” .(there is an additional
power point about landfill that can be used by one group- see idea 9B Way
Through Waste programme)
•
Give an appropriate timescale to research and prepare a presentation
•
Encourage / discuss appropriate group working techniques such as assigning
tasks etc
•
Facilitate the presentations
•
Facilitate discussion and voting
•
Facilitate evaluation discussion:
Did each company address the citizen’s environmental and social concerns?
Reality learning points
In real life, the choice of a waste technology is very complex. There is a definite
move away from landfill. The Landfill Directive following European legislation set out
demanding targets to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to
landfill. This has made landfill an expensive option, coupled with the competition for
land and planning restrictions.
Authorities have had to consider different solutions. These choices are influenced by:
•
Funding – the cost of alternative technologies
•
Is the alternative a proven technology
•
How the technology would impact on the environment (transport / pollution /
carbon)
•
How the technology would affect local residents (collections / transport / location
of site / odour / noise / pests)
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