Educating kids on circular economy

Imagine a transportable briefcase filled with interactive and interoperable elements designed to help children understand the environmental impact of toys. Imagine these kids growing up into conscious adults thinking twice before purchasing a new item. Can you see the impact?

Purpose of the Briefcase

It aims to satisfy children's curiosity about:

• The origin of toys: Where do toys come from?
• Production process: How are toys produced? What are the differences between plastic and wooden toys?
• Nature of plastic: What is plastic, and how is it made? The briefcase could include/link to engaging yet thought-provoking videos about plastic production and its consequences.
• Recycling and lifecycle: How can we recycle toys, and what happens to them after they are no longer needed? The briefcase will illustrate the lifecycle of toys, highlighting the differences between plastic and wooden options, and exploring alternative ways to enjoy toys, such as toy libraries or community sharing.

What does the briefcase contain

The briefcase is designed for use in schools, public libraries, and community spaces, promoting self-guided exploration and interactive learning. It includes:

• Stamps. Let kids use stamps to either trace the journey of a toy from production to their homes, or visually build/assemble the toy. Each stamp may represent a step in the supply chain, helping children understand the toy production process.
• Card game. A set of cards where each card represents a toy. Children trade cards with the aim of experiencing each toy. The final goal is to have experienced each card at least once, never having more than a certain amount at the same time. Kids learn the value of sharing and the concept of letting go in order to get something else.
• Printable sheets: Sheets with elements to be photocopied, cut, glued, and folded to create themed activities. This low-cost activity is suitable for younger children and preschools, and can be easily reproduced by anyone.
• Pollution maps: Maps showing areas affected by toy pollution. Children can overlay special layers to "clean" the environment, visually demonstrating the impact of reducing waste. Each layer may correspond to one of their action.

Using art as a mediating tool

Art can bridge the gap between knowledge and action, helping children and their families realize their potential to drive change. During workshops, we may take the opportunity to investigate open questions such as:

• How can you reduce the toy industry's impact?
• When do you buy new toys, and how long do they last?
• What is your idea on the future of toys, when the toy's system will eventually embrace the circular economy and production of new items will drop?

Workshops could culminate in discussions (with parents and caregivers) on sustainable toy economies, and a photography exhibit whose title could be "Playful Kids", inspired by Peter Menzel's Hungry Planet. The exhibit would feature photos of children surrounded by their toys, highlighting the potential for sharing and reducing waste.

Personal note

This brainstorming essay was published sooner than planned to spark discussion and to evaluate its potential for –hopefully– a meaningful impact. The images included are from my earlier project: "Zeta Opiuchi, the runaway star", an illustrated children's book about a star captivated by planet Earth. I found it quite aligned with the purpose of this research.

If you're familiar with (or just curious about) NASA's fascinating discoveries, yes, Zeta Opiuchi is indeed a real star, speeding through interstellar gases and particles.

My involvement with The Toy Library, part of Giorgia Anile's PhD case study in Human-Computer Interaction at University College Cork, along with my commitment to protecting our dear, wonderful, diverse, and invaluable Mother Earth, inspired these ideas and brought me here.

What has brought you here, instead?

Thanks for coming along,
Simona