Zero Waste Labs – Brickit

Overview

Zero Waste Labs is a playable lesson that builds recycling literacy through the Brickit routine: Sort → Scan → Choose → Build. Each team becomes a mini material recovery facility (MRF), experiments with sorter designs made from existing LEGO® collections, and tests how contamination impacts throughput and reuse. The session connects to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Lesson Flow (45 min)

Phase	Minutes	What Happens
Sort the pile	10	Teams classify the bricks by size/shape/colour to mirror waste categories (paper, plastic, metal, glass). Discuss how mis-sorting creates contamination.
Scan & Choose	6	Use Brickit to scan piles. Teams pick an aspirational model to base their sorter on (simple machine, chute, filter) and identify constraints (missing parts). Discussion cue: “What materials did we not see?”
Build the sorter	9	Create a LEGO prototype with at least three exits (recycle, reuse, reject). Document the “rules” captured in Brickit (e.g., “green exit = glass”).
Simulation rounds	12	Card decks represent mixed waste streams. Teams release 15 cards per round, route them through the sorter, and log contamination, recovery and throughput. Scores help compare iterations.
Comparison & Reflection	8	Teams share insights, refine rules, and commit to an action (“One household habit we can change”).

Materials + Setup

300–400 mixed LEGO® bricks per team, ideally repurposed from existing collections
One device running Brickit for Classes per team (scan features highlight shape/size)
Cards representing waste types (colour-coded for paper/plastic/metal/glass/organic/mixed)
“Bin” zones labelled recycle/reuse/reject (cones, outlines, trays)
Scoreboard (poster or digital) tracking contamination %, throughput, recovery%

Teacher Facilitation Notes

Introduce contamination as “when the wrong thing goes into a recycling bin” and make it tangible with LEGO cards.
Use Brickit scan results to show limitations: “We see shapes but not names, just like real MRF scanners don’t know every brand.”
Prompt teams to set rules (“paper goes to right end of the sorter”, “always double-check grey pieces”) and test if rules reduce contamination.
Capture reflections using student sheets or quick digital forms (e.g., “What one habit will you change?”).

Recycling Basics baseline (adapt locally): bottles/cans/containers + paper/cardboard; keep items empty/clean/dry; and never bag recyclables.
Reminder: accepted items vary by location (especially glass and cartons).

Impact Metrics

Zero Waste Labs fits the Brickit measurement suite:

Pre/post quiz (3–5 questions) to gauge understanding of sorting and contamination.
Simulation log capturing contamination %, recovery %, and throughput per round.
Reflection footprint — percentage of teams naming a personal or school habit to shift toward zero waste.
Teacher rubric awarding points for rule-making, teamwork, and alignment to SDG language.

Use Cases

Classrooms — integrate into STEM or sustainability weeks to demonstrate circular economy principles.
After-school clubs — run short competitions during eco-weeks or Earth Day events.
Corporate/WM partners — host a CSR “Zero Waste Labs” challenge for staff, volunteers, or community ambassadors.

Zero Waste Labs – Recycling in Play