Hi all,
As you develop your programs, you may be looking for online educational tools that impart knowledge on waste prevention and recycling. Waste games are one way to do just that. They are an intriguing approach, as they provide an engaging way to transmit information, they are cost-effective and efficient compared to in-person presentations, and there is evidence demonstrating that waste games are effective at disseminating waste-sorting knowledge (Luo, Zelenika and Zhao, 2018; Soma, Li and Maclaren, 2020).
I have two waste games to introduce you to. The first one is from the Region of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. It is a simple waste-sorting game called Rethink Waste that involves five levels of waste sorting. Participants receive immediate feedback in the form of gold stars when they correctly sort a waste item. After each level, participants are rewarded with a fountain, play structure, or other fun feature that they add to a local park. At the end of the game, you type your name on a certificate of achievement that is authorized by the Region of Waterloo. The Rethink Waste game takes about 5-7 minutes to complete. Click here to play the game.
The second one is called The Waste Game. This one was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Irish Universities’ Association (IUA). Prior to developing the game, research was conducted to identify barriers to proper recycling behavior. They found that waste contamination was often caused by individuals not knowing how to sort waste properly, a lack of care for the environment, and beliefs that most other like-minded individuals do not sort their waste, which then discouraged them from sorting as well. The game aims to address these barriers through a quiz-like experience that incorporates gamification and behavioral techniques, such as:
- An overarching narrative that frames the game as a journey or quest, which provides meaning to waste prevention and recycling
- An interactive experience that includes a dialogue between the player and a fictional mentor, making the experience more engaging
- Social norms that allow players to compare themselves to others
- Points and badges that are rewarded to players as they complete the levels, which impart a sense of accomplishment
- Immediate feedback that is given to players, which facilitates learning throughout the game
- Commitments to reduce waste and recycle that are encouraged at the end of each level
The Waste Game is played in two levels with multiple-choice questions. Level 1 teaches participants about waste prevention, while Level 2 involves waste sorting. The Waste Game takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Click here to play the game.
As you develop your programs, you may be looking for online educational tools that impart knowledge on waste prevention and recycling. Waste games are one way to do just that. They are an intriguing approach, as they provide an engaging way to transmit information, they are cost-effective and efficient compared to in-person presentations, and there is evidence demonstrating that waste games are effective at disseminating waste-sorting knowledge (Luo, Zelenika and Zhao, 2018; Soma, Li and Maclaren, 2020).
I have two waste games to introduce you to. The first one is from the Region of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. It is a simple waste-sorting game called Rethink Waste that involves five levels of waste sorting. Participants receive immediate feedback in the form of gold stars when they correctly sort a waste item. After each level, participants are rewarded with a fountain, play structure, or other fun feature that they add to a local park. At the end of the game, you type your name on a certificate of achievement that is authorized by the Region of Waterloo. The Rethink Waste game takes about 5-7 minutes to complete. Click here to play the game.
The second one is called The Waste Game. This one was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Irish Universities’ Association (IUA). Prior to developing the game, research was conducted to identify barriers to proper recycling behavior. They found that waste contamination was often caused by individuals not knowing how to sort waste properly, a lack of care for the environment, and beliefs that most other like-minded individuals do not sort their waste, which then discouraged them from sorting as well. The game aims to address these barriers through a quiz-like experience that incorporates gamification and behavioral techniques, such as:
- An overarching narrative that frames the game as a journey or quest, which provides meaning to waste prevention and recycling
- An interactive experience that includes a dialogue between the player and a fictional mentor, making the experience more engaging
- Social norms that allow players to compare themselves to others
- Points and badges that are rewarded to players as they complete the levels, which impart a sense of accomplishment
- Immediate feedback that is given to players, which facilitates learning throughout the game
- Commitments to reduce waste and recycle that are encouraged at the end of each level
The Waste Game is played in two levels with multiple-choice questions. Level 1 teaches participants about waste prevention, while Level 2 involves waste sorting. The Waste Game takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Click here to play the game.
