The fact that recycling is so important to nature is apparent to anyone that takes the time to walk and look for the evidence. Birds constructing nests out of recycled material or microbes decomposing and recycling waste are two examples of recycling by organisms in nature. These organisms use the tools available to them, for example, a bird uses its beak, to help them make a nest from recycled materials. Birds, of course, don't sit down and think about recycling, it just an adaptations that helps it survive. Humans can not only think about how to improve how we recycle, but we can create new ways and new tools or technologies that make recycling possible for materials that were previously just thrown out. Once we recognize the importance of recycling, it is up to us to develop the technology to improve our ability to recycle. This part of The Recycle Challenge explores technology and recycling in three parts:

• Exploring paper recycling.
• Determining how discarded sport shoes might impact the landfill.
• Investigating how technology has created a new way to recycle that solves a problem and creates a market.

Your work on this section of The Challenge will result in a product made from recycled material and a position statement on how technology is important to recycling.