”Scrap Squad” is a participatory visual communication system that transforms recycling education through play, creativity, and active participation. Although recycling is one of the first sustainable habits taught in schools, most waste sorting systems are designed for adults, relying on text, abstract symbols, and inconsistent labels that young children often struggle to understand.

The project was developed through research at Elementary School Simon Jenko in Kranj, combining interviews with teachers, analysis of students' daily routines and classroom waste, and research into environmental education, children's literacy, and visual communication. Instead of explaining waste through illustrations, Scrap Squad transforms discarded materials into expressive collage characters, enabling children to recognise materials before learning recycling categories.

The project goes beyond mere labelling. Through participatory workshops, children create their own “Scrapers” from waste materials, becoming co-creators of the system rather than passive users. Through making, playing, and exploring, they develop a deeper understanding of materiality, strengthen their knowledge of recycling, and gain confidence in their ability to actively contribute to solving ecological challenges.

Designed as an accessible and adaptable system, ”Scrap Squad” can be implemented in various educational settings, demonstrating how thoughtful visual communication can transform everyday recycling into meaningful environmental education.