<![CDATA[Objective: Creativity needs to be developed from elementary school, while plastic waste remains a serious environmental challenge in Indonesia. This study aims to describe the art learning strategy that utilizes plastic waste based on the 3R concept (reduce, reuse, recycle) and to analyze the development of creative thinking among fourth-grade students at SDN Pajagan through this strategy. Methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative approach, with the teacher and all fourth-grade students as subjects, one student as the interview informant, and observation of the entire class. Data were collected through observation and interviews, then analyzed through data collection, data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. Results: The teacher implemented the strategy systematically through introductory activities, 3R-based core activities, evaluation, and reflection, integrating all three 3R components. Students’ creative thinking developed well in the fluency and originality indicators, reflected in diverse ideas and works that differed from their peers. However, elaboration (adding detail and verbally communicating ideas) and concern for classroom cleanliness remained suboptimal. Novelty: This study recommends strengthening opportunities for reflection and presentation of work, along with concrete habituation of environmental cleanliness, so that creative thinking aligns with the ecological awareness instilled through the 3R concept.]]>
