By implementing the Waste to Art (WatA) project, we wanted to achieve the following: -To reduce the use of natural resources and the amount of waste released to nature for environmental sustainability, -To reduce the amount of waste generated in the lessons where art activities are held, -To ensure the protection of natural resources used for the production of artistic activity materials, -To ensure the active participation of disadvantaged students who cannot reach the necessary materials for artistic activity classes.
Our research revealed that art activities in schools have a significant environmental impact, accounting for around a third of all school waste. The high cost of art materials and the difficulty of obtaining them can also cause social exclusion, preventing disadvantaged students from accessing their right to an art education. Our research confirmed that using waste materials could solve these issues. Inspired by this, we created a project to promote the widespread use of waste materials in art education. Through our needs analysis in the field of art education, we identified the issues that the project should address. The project addresses the following needs: The need for academic resources. The need for structured educational materials on using waste materials in art classes. Practical examples of how to use waste materials in art activities are also needed. There is a need for easy access to theoretical and practical resources on using waste materials in art activities. Teachers conducting art activities in schools needed encouragement to use waste materials in their classes. The use of waste materials in art activities in schools needed to be promoted.