Everyone has heard of reducing waste, reusing products, and recycling, but what does this mean? Get ready to go outside for a hands-on activity: picking up litter. Once you have your pile of refuse, pull out the elements you want to make art out of, and dispose appropriately of waste you don't need. By picking up trash, you will tidy up your neighborhood and take care of the Earth. Creating art out of discarded materials gives them a second life.

Materials:

• A bag/compartment for small trash and another one for recycling — and depending on what you find, you can also use your hands or pockets!
• Gloves
• Hand sanitizer for making your art. As well as glue, string, tape, etc.

1. Take a walk and pick up litter for ten minutes. Notice the environment and your surroundings. Reflect on your feelings and thoughts. Place stray dirt, leaves, or other natural materials back into the earth, or keep a few of them for your art.
2. Reflect. How did picking up litter make you feel? Will you do this again? How did it feel to take care of the Earth and tidy up?
3. Use what you have collected to create a sculpture or still life.
4. Incorporate a phrase. Use text overlay on your device or drawn letters. Come up with one phrase or "rule" that you would like to share. It could be something like "Pick up after yourself," "Stop the cycle," or "Clean up the Earth; it's the only home we have." Envision your art exhibited to the world. What message is your art sending? How do you want to encourage and inspire people to respect our planet?
5. Post your work using the submission form at the top of this page.
6. Either dispose of your piece correctly or keep it. Also, remember to wash your hands! 

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