Shifting Awareness: Recycled Plastic Bag Art

This paper considers how educators can raise the issue of plastic bag usage to spark creative thinking about environmental issues, while educating students on the science and history of plastic bag usage and how to reduce, use, and re-use properly. Using the arts in this curriculum can compel engagement by students and encourage creativity and spontaneity, which may lead to unforeseen conclusions and potential solutions. This paper illustrates four environmental artists’ works created using recycled plastic bags, as possible examples for teachers to incorporate into the K-12 curricula. It also discusses a middle school project called “Why Not Plastic Bag Art”, where students explored the environmental issues of plastic bag use by creating environmental artworks. The students became motivated about promoting environmental awareness and becoming environmental stewards.