Life of things

Aims of the tool

motivate people to make conscious choices investing in things that are really useful and less harmfull for the planet

Description of the tool

Flow:
• Spread the small papers and pens to each participant. Ask them to write down one precious thing they have bought during the last year (something they are proud of). One thing per paper.
• Collect all the papers in the box.
• Ask all participants to stand up in a circle and pick one paper (not his/her own one) from the box, without showing it or telling to others.
• Ask the participants to imagine themselves as these things. Ask them how long they are used and appreciated by the owner, let them stand on one leg till it is still actual. E.g. Does Your owner still remembers about You in one week, one month, one year etc. Let them stand on both legs, when they are not used any more.
• Check who was the first one to stand on both legs and the last one. Ask them to reveal their names (things).
• Now ask the participants to change the one leg they are standing on. Being the same things they have to keep one leg up whil they still exist on the earth not being decomposed. E.g. do You still exist in 2 years, 10 years, 50 years, 100 years?
• Reveal the first ones and the last ones to stand on both legs.
• Show Your prepared posters on how long different materials are being decomposed on earth (e.g. food some months, paper 2 years, glass 1000 years, diapers…)

Invite everybody for the common reflection.
• Do they still feel proud of their last year investments?
• How do they evaluate their investments in general – how wisely and strategically do they buy things?
• Ask to reflect about consumism in general? Why do people buy/use what they buy/use?
• What are people’ s environmental choices? How aware are we about the decomposition of materials on the earth? How can we improve?