By Portia Sinnott, NCRA News Editor and founder of Zero Waste Sonoma County, 4/4/17
Need a fun, thought provoking game to play at Earth Day events or County Fair booths? I suggest my version of the old memory game Concentration. I have been using it to teach my cohousing neighbors and many others about recycling since 1999. Cute name suggestions welcome via the NCRA contact page; please select “Newsletter” as the Subject.
Instructions:
1) Place a mix of recyclable and non-recyclable items on a table.
2) Add a few disposables and their reuseable counterparts, as well as some small repairables and their non-repairable cousins.
3) Cover with a cloth which you pull off to start the game.
4) Perhaps use a big timer to add drama.
5) Give participants 10-20 seconds to memorize the contents, replace the cover and then ask them to write down all of the recyclable and reuseable items they remember.
6) The one who remembers the most items is declared the winner.
But wait, the game is not over! Use the uncovered mish-mash to discuss what is recyclable or not – in their community and why. Then introduce Zero Waste and how it is more and different than recycling. This game has proven to be a great way to get people to talk about recycling and Zero Waste in a fun and relaxed manner.
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