Promoting Green Concepts and Environmental Awareness by a Recycling Expanded Polystyrene with Acetone Experiment and an Interactive Digital Tool

Recycling plastic waste is a major environmental challenge that requires educational initiatives to raise the awareness of and promote sustainable practices. This work demonstrates the educational effectiveness of a hands-on recycling experiment, supported by the interactive digital tool Wooclap, in promoting environmental awareness and introducing green concepts. To achieve this, a hands-on experiment recycling expanded polystyrene (EPS) with acetone was conducted for three age groups: (i) young children, (ii) high school students, and (iii) undergraduate students. Initial and final tests on the Wooclap platform measured the prior knowledge and learning outcomes of the participants. Additionally, participants completed a satisfaction survey to evaluate their satisfaction with the workshop and the knowledge gained. All groups recognized plastic accumulation as a serious environmental issue, but many preuniversity students were unfamiliar with basic green concepts, especially regarding specific types of plastic and their recycling process. These observations highlight the need for educational initiatives like that presented in this work. All groups showed a strong grasp of the concepts related to EPS recycling after the workshop, highlighting the effectiveness of this educational experience. Additionally, participants found the experience enjoyable, which had a positive effect on their learning.