What exactly do you have easy access to? Assuming just paper and maybe some scissors, you could do various origami shapes, including the staple of every elementary playground, the fortune teller or "cootie catcher," with more complex shapes for the older students. You could also do paper cut outs--like paper dolls holding hands, or "snowflakes" and other lace designs. There's also papercrafts, if you have different colors of paper.
Various recycling projects probably depend on what you have access to, again. There's a method for cutting glass that relies upon quick temperature changes, no sharp objects, that could be fun for your older students, and you could turn empty bottles into cups or glasses. That requires rubbing alcohol and ice and string, though.
As for other recycling projects, you can make bird feeders out of empty milk jugs and cartons, and organizers for buttons or small bits and bobs out of egg cartons. If you can get string or embroidery floss, there are all sorts of woven patterns you can use for friendship bracelets and lanyards. Teaching some of the older kids new skills like knitting, crocheting, or sewing could work well, too--again, assuming you can get the supplies.
Good luck!
