As with any new venture, time spent at the outset thinking through the aims, objectives and practicalities of collecting and using recycled materials will pay huge dividends in the long term. First, you will need to decide, as a team, why you want to introduce recycled resources into your setting. Is it to promote environmental awareness, to extend children's experience of materials or to foster creative expression? Probably the answer is all of the above.
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
If promoting environmental awareness is your prime motive, it is important to consider the other aspects of life in your setting you may want to change to support this theme. Perhaps you could:
* Introduce paper recycling bins in the office and staff room
* Install energy-efficient light bulbs
* Ensure that the heating and insulating systems are as efficient as possible
* Remind children and staff to turn off taps
* Set up a composting system for food waste
* Plant a vegetable plot for the children.
EXTENDING CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCE
Introducing 'new' materials into your setting, particularly if these are very different from those traditionally associated with young children, may cause some anxiety for some staff members. It is important to give everyone an opportunity to talk about how they feel about young children handling glass or wire, for example, or using woodworking tools.
Safety considerations are of course paramount, but there is nothing inherently dangerous about the materials themselves if they are used safely. Children need to understand the importance of behaving in a safe manner and wearing protective equipment such as goggles or gardening gloves when appropriate, and they should be shown the skills of handling materials safely.
FOSTERING CREATIVE EXPRESSION
New resources provide new opportunities for adults as well as children. If we as adults don't take time to explore the creative potential of the resources we provide for children, we may be reluctant, or even a little afraid, of introducing them into the setting. It is essential that staff have time to explore materials for themselves, overcome their inhibitions and discover their own intrinsic creativity. This may take longer for some than others, but it's there in all of us, waiting to get out!
TERMINOLOGY
Valuing and respecting materials and resources underpins all of the themes considered above. It would appear that the terminology we use in this country when referring to the whole area of recycling does little to further the cause. We talk of scrap, junk and waste, all fairly derogatory terms. Perhaps we should take inspiration from Reggio - 'intelligent materials' suggests higher expectations and greater aspirations. Reclaimed materials available from recycling centres are quite simply 'priceless' - they are things that you couldn't buy in a shop anywhere.
ACCESSING RESOURCES
Recycled materials are available through two main routes:
* parents, family members and staff
* a local recycling centre.
Resources from parents/families
The range of resources you can acquire in this way is likely to be fairly limited, although you may well end up with large quantities of particular things. Asking families to bring in things which can be used again does, however, reinforce for children the message of re-use and recycle.
Pay close attention to the health and safety guidelines for your setting, including any specific advice issued by your local authority.
* Explain to parents why you are asking for recycled materials.
* Be clear and specific about what you want to collect - large resources for outdoor use as well as smaller items.
* Think carefully before accepting offers of tools; they are unlikely to be the correct size for children to use safely.
* Plan where you are going to collect materials so they don't become untidy, or present a safety hazard.
* Organise suitable storage facilities before you start collecting.
* Find opportunities to display some examples of the children's creations using recycled resources to show how much you value them.
Resources from arecycling centre
Clearly, these resources will only be available to you if you are fortunate enough to have a centre in your area. Recycling centres depend on grants, donations and membership subscriptions to fund their activities. They need membership support to be viable.
The prime advantage of resources from a recycling centre is the range, variety and unique nature of the materials on offer and the reassurance that the resources will be clean and fit for use.
The range of resources available from a recycling centre could include:
* Fabric and textiles: fur fabric or fleece, sheepskin offcuts, lightweight polyester/cotton, nylon, knitted jersey, heavyweight upholstery fabric and rip- stop nylon or hot air balloon fabric.
* Plastics and foam: thin foam sheets, foam 'building blocks', plastic buckets and trays, large foam skeletons, foam stampers and small shapes, plastic sheet and plastic cotton bobbins.
* Paper and card: cardboard cones, coloured or shiny paper, sheets of labels, A4 folders, marketing company surplus stock and large shop display boards.
* Natural materials: bark, driftwood, shells, seaweed and pine cones.
* Wood: a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and textures from small offcuts of MDF to larger hardwood pieces.
* Ceramics and glass: ceramic tiles for mosaics or tile painting, glass jam jars and bottles.
