Project Overview
“How do you make white paper out of recycled colored paper?”
“Which creates more trash — a gallon package of juice or 20 individual juice boxes?”
“How much water do you use when you take a 5-minute shower?”
These were just a few of the questions asked by 6- to 11-year-old children, their parents and their grandparents during OPB’s Eco Smart project.
OPB’s Eco Smart project, which took place from February 2005-March 2006, was funded by a grant from the National Center for Outreach. For this project, OPB partnered with the School and Community Reuse Action Project (SCRAP), Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Gates Elementary School in Gates, and the Title VII Indian Education Program to facilitate six Eco Smart workshops for families.
During the workshops, families shared ideas about what we can do in our homes, at our schools and in our communities to conserve energy. They played games on Web sites like EekoWorld, and visited sites like Don’t Buy It, Arthur and ZOOM, to learn more about conserving energy and recycling. Families also made seed saver pocket books, fabric bags, picture frames, and toys using reused and recycled materials.
Both families and community partners told us they found the project rewarding. Community partners like SCRAP appreciated the opportunity to reach new audiences. Families learned how items they may have discarded can be reused to create low-cost art projects and activities, or to teach pre-math and science skills.
We’ve created this accompanying Web site to share how we worked with our partners on this project, and to inspire you to try some of these activities and resources within your own family, at school and with other community organizations.