Taking Charge of Waste Class 3 Evs Chapter 12 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Waste is created through our daily activities at home, school and in our neighborhoods. It can include things like vegetable peels, old bottles, used paper, empty wrappers, old clothes, pencil shavings, and broken toys. When we don’t manage waste properly, it ends up as piles of garbage in our surroundings, causing pollution and making areas look dirty. Sometimes animals eat harmful waste like plastics by mistake, and burning plastics releases dangerous gases. Stagnant water near waste can also lead to the breeding of mosquitoes which causes diseases.

Each day, our activities like eating packaged food, using plastic bottles, and disposing of things we no longer need, generate waste. When old batteries, paper, fruit peels or wrappers are thrown away, they often get mixed up together and land in open dumps. These dumps not only occupy space but can also harm animals and spread diseases. Not handing waste properly can also pollute soil and water.

Managing waste is everyone’s responsibility. When waste lies around, it causes bad smells, attracts insects and animals, and can lead to people getting sick. If we throw plastics anywhere, animals might try to eat them and get hurt or fall ill. If we burn plastic or other rubbish, it creates harmful smoke which pollutes the air. Wastewater collected around dumps can become home to mosquitoes and spread more illness.

We can learn good waste management from places where people work to keep their surroundings clean and safe. Three main ways to handle waste are: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. “Reduce” means creating less waste in the first place. For example, by carrying a cloth bag instead of asking for a new plastic bag for shopping, or saying no to single-use water bottles. “Reuse” means using things again instead of throwing them away, like making new things from old clothes or using old newspapers for wrapping. “Recycle” means turning waste materials like paper, metal, and plastic into new products, which can happen if we sort and throw them in the correct bin.

There are simple things you can do to reduce the amount of waste you create:

• Buy only what you need and avoid unnecessary items
• Share or donate things like books, clothes or toys with others
• Say no to products with too much packaging or single-use plastic wraps
• Bring your own bags when you go shopping

When we reduce waste, we help to keep our surroundings clean and use fewer resources from nature.

Instead of tossing things out after one use, try to find another purpose for them. For example:

• Use both sides of paper for rough work or drawing
• Refill a water bottle rather than buying a new one every time
• Make crafts, toys, or decorations using old newspapers, boxes, or bottles
• Give old clothes to someone in need or use them for cleaning rags or quilts

Our grandparents often reused most things instead of throwing them away! Reusing keeps things out of the waste pile and helps the environment.

We often see two coloured dustbins—green and blue—in public spaces, schools, and homes. Separating waste makes recycling possible. The green dustbin is meant for “wet” or biodegradable waste like fruit and vegetable peels, dried leaves, or eggshells. These things can mix with soil and become compost, which helps plants grow. The blue dustbin is for “dry” waste like plastic, metal, glass and paper. These things can be collected and sent for recycling, which means they are made into new products.

When we put the correct items in each dustbin, it’s easier to manage waste, recycle it, and keep our cities and villages clean.

Some villages and towns in India, like Silluk (Arunachal Pradesh), Chhota Narena, Indore, and Mysuru, have become models for others by managing waste very well. Silluk, for example, is a “zero waste village” where rubbish is not seen on roadsides and everything looks neat and green. These places sort their waste properly, compost what they can, recycle as much as possible, and take pride in keeping streets and homes clean. This makes the environment healthier for all.

Everyone can help keep homes and classrooms clean by following simple steps:

• Always put waste in the correct bins
• Keep your bedroom and study area tidy
• Pick up after yourself after eating or playing
• Help teachers and classmates keep the classroom neat
• Remind family members to sort waste properly

Some tools used for cleaning at home or school include brooms, dustpans, mops, cloths, and buckets. Cleaning together is a team effort which helps everyone enjoy a tidy place to live and learn.

You can get involved in waste management activities such as:

• Observe and report where waste piles up in your locality or school
• Make crafts using things like old newspapers, bottles or boxes
• Draw a map or picture showing areas which need better cleaning
• Give a handmade gift (made from reusable items) as a thank-you to cleaning workers
• Take part in a cleanliness drive at school or in your neighborhood

Try to find out about national programs like the Swachh Bharat Mission, which encourages everyone to maintain cleanliness across India.

On National Cleanliness Day (30 January), schools and families can take a pledge to keep surroundings clean, reduce the amount of waste created and manage it properly. Remembering the aim “Want not, Waste not” helps us develop habits that keep our world clean and green.

Simple steps, when followed every day, can prevent pollution and create a healthy, happy environment at home, school, and in our neighborhoods.

Class 3 Evs Chapter 12 Taking Charge of Waste Notes – Our Wondrous World (NCERT)

These revision notes for NCERT Class 3 EVS Chapter 12 Taking Charge of Waste cover all key points in a simple format. Find the important concepts like reduce, reuse, recycle, and waste separation explained clearly for quick last-minute revision. Practice examples for sorting waste and learn about clean villages and methods to keep your school and home tidy.

With these Class 3 Our Wondrous World notes, students can easily remember what to put in green and blue dustbins and why management of waste matters. The notes highlight main questions, real-life tasks, and examples from the chapter so you feel confident for school exams.