All the stuff that surrounds us has a life cycle: materials are harvested, the stuff is made and distributed, it's consumed and then it gets trashed or recycled. Using the typical contents of a child's school backpack (defined as water, food, clothing, paper, plastic, metals, electronics), this book explores those stages in detail, including lots of ways to reduce, reuse or recycle waste along the way.

A young boy named Tyler helps to introduce readers to how recycling works, the kinds of materials that can be recycled, and the kinds of products that are made from recycled material.

"Explores the pros and cons of several issues related to recycling, including whether it helps the environment, and is it economically efficient. Aligns with Common Core Language Arts Anchor Standards for Reading Informational Text and Speaking and Listening. Text contains critical thinking components in regards to social issues and history. Includes bibliography, glossary, index, and relevant websites"-- Provided by publisher.

Provides instructions for using recycled materials to create fifty different crafts and offers tips for an earth-friendly lifestyle.

Readers learn how to turn recycled materials into various craft projects.

Full-color, illustrated instructions for creating fourteen simple earth-friendly crafts including a king, coin purse, doll, penguin, and clock.

"Early fluent readers follow recyclables as they leave the home and head to a recycling plant to get sorted and all the steps in between . . . full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn about what happens to recyclables and how they're made into new products"--Provided by publisher.