Search for Science Fair Projects

1000 Science Fair Projects with Complete Instructions

General Environmental Science Science Fair Project

Trash Volume Before and After Compacting

Easy
Trash Volume Before and After Compacting | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
How much space does household trash really take up? Landfills and dumps fill up fast. Reducing the volume of waste could extend their useful life. You fill a large cardboard box with plastic jugs and aluminum cans. You measure each side of the box and calculate the total volume. Then you crush and chop the trash as small as possible and measure again. Comparing the two volumes shows how much space compacting saves. You can also estimate how much room a household or neighborhood would need for a full year of waste.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that compacting trash reduces the space it takes up.

Method & Materials

You will fill a large box with egg cartons, plastic jugs and aluminum cans. Then, you will calculate the total volume of trash in the container and see how much space would be required each year if everyone in your house contributed the same amount of trash each week. Next, you will compact the items that can be compacted. Calculate the total volume of the trash.
You will need a large cardboard box, egg cartons, clean plastic jugs and water bottles, dozens of aluminum cans, paper and pencils, and a calculator.

Results

We found that compacting trash reduces the space it takes up. This is important to know because trash placed in landfills and garbage dumps may last far longer than desired.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting and unique because it helps us understand the impact of our trash on the environment.

Also Consider

Experiment variations to consider include researching the life of a product package in a landfill, and finding alternatives that generate less trash for items you buy.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

Related videos

These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
Share this Science Project:

Related Science Fair Project Ideas

Cookie Mining and Environmental Cost
Mine chocolate chips from two cookies with a paper clip and see whether careful or careless digging earns more.
Easy
Recycling, Pollution, and Reusable Materials
Compare everyday items for environmental impact, then watch food coloring spread through water to see why pollution never truly disappears.
Easy
Soil Burial and Biodegradable Materials
Bury six different materials in soil-filled bottles and check every few weeks to see which ones crumble and which survive.
Easy
Share this Science Project: