Where Does My Trash Go?

by Sage Greenleaf

Priya wondered about all the things his family threw away.

Grade 1 (Level G): Early readers10 pages

A child follows the journey of their garbage and learns about landfills, recycling, and reducing waste

Characters

Priya

Mr. Green

Mom

Anime & Manga

Story Arc

Priya helped Mom in the kitchen. They cleaned up after dinner. The trash can was very full.

Mom tied the big trash bag. Priya carried the small recycling bin. They walked outside together.

A big truck rumbled down the street. It picked up the recycling! Priya watched it drive away.

Later, Mom drove Priya to a special place. It was the recycling center! Big piles of items waited there.

A friendly man waved hello. “I’m Mr. Green,” he said. “Welcome!”

Mr. Green showed them how machines sorted things. Paper went here, plastic went there. It was very busy.

“Where does the rest of the trash go?” Priya asked. Mr. Green looked a little sad.

“That trash goes to the landfill,” Mr. Green explained softly. “It gets buried deep.”

Priya thought about all the trash at home. He wanted to help the Earth. He made a plan.

Priya remembered Mr. Green’s words. He turned off lights. He used a reusable bag. Small choices made a big difference.

Make one of your own next.

rumbled: It means a deep, rolling sound, like a big truck making noise.; A big truck rumbled down the street.
recycling: This is when we take old things, like paper or plastic, and make them into new things instead of throwing them away.; It picked up the recycling!
center: This is a special place where things happen, like where they take the recycling.; It was the recycling center!
piles: This means a lot of things stacked up together in a big heap.; Big piles of items waited there.
sorted: This is when things are put into different groups based on what they are.; Mr. Green showed them how machines sorted things.
landfill: This is a big place where trash is taken and buried under the ground.; That trash goes to the landfill,
buried: This means to cover something up completely with dirt or another material.; It gets buried deep.
reusable: This means you can use something again and again, like a bag you take to the store.; He used a reusable bag.
difference: This means to make things better or change them in a good way.; Small choices made a big difference.