Teaching the concept of recycling and reusing can be illustrated through organizing a junk art sculpture contest. Have each student bring in one grocery bag filled with junk found around the house. Have kids be creative and include objects such as rinsed out containers, spare socks, broken electronics and torn clothing. Toss all items into a community pile. Kids should work on art projects by using only the junk items although they are allowed to cut, paint, plaster and glue items to form the final piece.
Reusing items no longer needed by one person yet in high need for another is a concept found throughout "The Dumpster Diver." One activity is to choose a charity that accepts used good donations, such as the Humane Society or Goodwill. Children have one week to gather as many goods listed on the charity's wish list as possible. The students should compile all items, box up the goods and deliver them to the charity to promote the reuse of items. One extra way to enhance this activity is to remind children to ask friends, family and neighbors for used goods to add to the collection.
An activity that further helps students grasp the concepts associated with "The Dumpster Diver" is to have open discussions among all children to talk about how things can quickly pile up in bedrooms. This discussion will raise the idea of recycling things such as toys to cut down on general waste and refuse. Tell the students to bring in one to two items from their own bedrooms that are no longer being used. Place all items on a table and place a paper bag in front of each item. Students should place their names, written on paper slips, in a bag for items they are interested in having. Showing kids how others will gladly use another person's unwanted items is yet another way to demonstrate how passing on goods to others reduces overall waste.
Showing children how a little elbow grease and creativity can breathe new life into something old and unwanted is in line with the message of "The Dumpster Diver." One classroom group project involves transforming broken items into new treasures for donation. Good items for this type of project include furniture needing to be stripped and repainted, clothing in need of simple repair or of being updated with beads, rhinestones and buttons or changing mismatched dinner plates into works of art by painting designs on the front. Once the project is complete, the class can either donate the items or sell the objects and donate the money to a charity of choice.