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Toxic Waste

This is a popular, engaging small group initiative activity which always provides a rich teamwork challenge for about 30-45 minutes. Involves thinking, imagination, action, fantasy, risk and an attractive solution.

Equipped with a bungee cord and rope, a group must work out how to transport a bucket of "Toxic Waste" and tip it into the "neutralization" bucket. Toxic Waste can be used to highlight almost any aspect of teamwork or leadership.

The challenge is to move the toxic waste contents to the "neutralization" container using minimal equipment and maintaining a safe distance within a time limit.

Moderately difficult - avoid using with groups who are still in the early stages of group development. Works best towards the end of a program and/or after the group has come together and dealt with basic teamwork issues.

Can be done indoors or outdoors; outdoors is more dramatic because water can be used as the "toxic waste" instead of balls.

Set-Up

  • Use the rope to create a circle at least 8 ft in diameter on the ground to represent the toxic waste radiation zone. The larger the radiation zone, the more difficult the activity.

  • Place the small bucket in the center of the radiation zone and fill it with water or balls to represent the toxic waste.

  • Place the large neutralization bucket approximately 30 to 50 feet away. The greater the distance, the more difficult the activity.

  • Put all other equipment (i.e., bungee, cords, and red herring objects (optional)) in a pile near the rope circle.

Time

Total time ~30-50 minutes:

  • ~5 minute briefing
  • ~5 minutes group planning time, no action
  • ~15-30 minutes of active problem-solving
  • ~10 minutes discussion/debrief

Group Size

Group sizes of approximately 7 to 9 are ideal however, the activity can be done with as few as 4 or as many as 12.

Equipment

  • Two toxic waste receptacles (1 small, 1 large bucket).
  • One 15m rope to create a circle of about 3 meters diameter for the radiation zone.
  • One bungee cord loop or bicycle tyre inner tube.
  • Eight 3m cords or one for each team member.
  • A number of light weight balls to represent toxic waste. Alternatively use water.
  • Eight blindfolds or one for each team member (optional).
  • Red herring objects (optional).

Directions

  • The challenge is for the group to work out how to transfer the toxic waste from the small bucket into the large bucket where it will be "neutralized", using only the equipment provided and within a time frame. The waste will blow up and destroy the world after 20 minutes if it is not neutralized.

  • Anyone who ventures into the radiation zone will suffer injury and possibly even death, and spillage will create partial death and destruction. Therefore, the group should aim to save the world and do so without injury to any group members.

  • The rope circle represents the radiation zone emanating from the toxic waste in the bucket. Emphasize that everyone must maintain a distance (circle radius) from the toxic waste wherever it goes, otherwise they will suffer severe injury, such as loss of a limb or even death.

  • Give the group some planning time with no action e.g. 5 minutes. Then start the clock and indicate it is time for action, e.g., 15 or 20 minutes.

Facilitator Notes

  • Toxic Waste is not an easy exercise and most groups will benefit from some coaching along the way.

  • The solution involves attaching the cords to the bungee loop, then guiding the bungee with the strings to sit around and grab the toxic waste bucket. Then with everyone pulling on their cord and with good coordination and care, the toxic waste bucket can be lifted, moved and tipped into the empty neutralizing bucket.

  • If someone breaches the toxic waste zone, indicated by the circle, enforce an appropriate penalty e.g., loss of limbs (hand behind back) or function (e.g., blindfolds if a head enters the zone) that lasts for the rest of the game. If a whole person enters the zone, they die and must then sit out for the rest of the activity.

  • If the group struggles to work out what to do, freeze the action and help them discuss.

  • If the group spills the waste entirely, make a big deal about catastrophic failure (everyone dies), invite them to discuss what went wrong and how they can do better, then refill the container and let them have another go.

  • Ideas for varying the level difficulty of the activity:

    • Adjust timeframe
    • Adjust distance between the buckets
    • Include obstacles between the buckets
    • Include red herring objects in available equipment

Processing Ideas

  • There are invariably plenty of key communications and decisions during the exercise that provide for fruitful debriefing.

  • The exercise will tend to naturally expose processes and issues related to many aspects of teamwork, including cooperation, communication, trust, empowerment, risk-taking, support, problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership.

  • Videoing the exercise enhances subsequent analysis and debriefing.

    • How successful was the group? e.g., consider:
    • How long did it take?
    • Was there any spillage?
    • Were there any injuries?

  • Often in the euphoria of finishing participants will overlook their errors and seem unconcerned about injuries and deaths caused by carelessness along the way. Make sure there is an objective evaluation of performance - it is rarely 'perfect'.

    • How well did the group cope with this challenge? (e.g., out of 10?)
    • What was the initial reaction of the group?
    • What skills did it take for the group to be successful?
    • What would an outside observer have seen as the strengths and weaknesses of the group?
    • How did the group come up with its best ideas?
    • What did each group member learn about him/her self as a group member?
    • What lessons did the group learn from this exercise which could be applied to future situations?

Variations

  • Could be used with large groups by dividing participants into teams.

  • The toxic waste bucket can be used upside down, with a ball balanced on top.

  • The members of each team could be assigned roles such as leaders and workers and then given rules of engagement such as: Leaders can talk but not touch equipment. Workers cannot talk but can touch equipment.

  • For added drama, the toxic waste can be floated on a platform in a swimming pool.

  • A chemical reaction could be created by putting baking soda in the neutralization container and vinegar in the toxic waste container. When combined, they froth.

References

Gass, M. A. (1995). Book of metaphors: Volume II. Dubuque, IO: Kendall Hunt.

Priest, S., & Rohnke, K. (2000). 101 of the best corporate team building activities. Tarrak.com.

Rohnke, L. (1994). The bottomless bag again!? (2nd ed.). Dubuque, IO: Kendall-Hunt.

Rohnke, K. & Butler, S. (1995). Quicksilver: Adventure games, initiative problems, trust activities, and a guide to effective leadership. Dubuque, IO: Kendall-Hunt.

Acknowledgement

Adapted from material at http://wilderdom.com/games/InitiativeGames.html