The reuse challenge
You’ll need
- Reuse challenge sheet for each person
- Optional: internet access, video player, projector and screen
Understand reuse
- The person leading the activity should explain to the group that this activity is about reusing things. Everyone should think of some things that could be reused, and the main things that are saved through the principle of reuse (energy, money, and waste).
- Everyone should do some research about reuse. Watching a YouTube video individually or as a group could be a good introduction to some of the key issues. This could be done at home.
Set the challenge
- Everyone should think of one energy, money, or waste-saving challenge. Ideas could include taking shorter showers, selling or donating old clothes instead of throwing them out, using metal drinking straws, or reusing plastic bottles.
- Everyone should accept a challenge, which they will try to do over the next two weeks.
Track your progress
- Everyone should keep a log of the actions they have taken to reuse things in their everyday life as part of the challenge. Use the reuse challenge sheet that we’ve supplied to write down ideas.
- These sheets will be shared with the rest of the group, so everyone should keep them safe and update them regularly.
- Bring everyone back together once two weeks has passed and discuss the challenges.
- Give prizes to the people who reduced and reused the most, or had the most creative and interesting ways of reusing things. Make sure everyone knows that their efforts have helped to make the world a better place, and to keep reusing.
Reflection
This activity helped you to become an active citizen in society. Saving energy and recycling are two ways we can help save the environment. How have you helped your family to reduce or reuse? What have you done to reduce or reuse?
This activity also involved you using practical skills. You had to find practical things that can help save energy and reusing. How did you find out about the things you can do? Which action are you especially proud of?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
- Rubbish and recycling
All items should be clean and suitable for this activity.
Come up with some more difficult or more manageable challenges to offer the group. Think about creating the prizes for the challenge winners out of recycled materials.
Base the challenges on the abilities and knowledge of the group to make sure they are achievable.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
