Enhancing Collage Art Creativity Using Plastic Waste Media: Instilling Recycling Culture in Elementary School Students' Learning

Nur Fajrie(1), Imaniar Purbasari(2), Sulaimon Adewale(3),

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46843/jiecr.v7i4.3165


(1) Postgraduate Program in Elementary Education, Universitas Muria Kudus, Kudus, Indonesia
(2) Elementary School Teacher Education, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Universitas Muria Kudus, Kudus, Indonesia
(3) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Visual arts education in elementary schools consistently faces similar challenges, namely a lack of teaching materials coupled with pedagogical approaches that prioritize imitation over original expression. At the same time, plastic waste poses numerous environmental challenges that require innovative educational interventions. This study analyzes the creative process and collage artworks made from snack food packaging by fifth-grade students at SDN 1 Karangmalang, using these artworks as the primary medium. The study used a mixed-methods case study design; researchers collected data from 24 students through systematic observation, interviews, documentation, and artwork assessment rubrics. The results show that plastic waste as a medium effectively stimulates students' imagination and flexibility in arranging colors and shapes. The creative workflow progressed through preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification, leading to a significant quantitative improvement in originality and idea fluency. This study concludes that plastic waste is an effective, innovative, and environmentally friendly medium for art education that simultaneously fosters an attitude of environmental concern. This study contributes a pedagogical framework that bridges artistic creativity and the development of ecological character, and shows how using recycled materials can support a systematic creative mindset in elementary education.

Keywords

collage; creativity; elementary school; fine arts; plastic waste media

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