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Educating for Sustainable Plastic Management in a Circular and Climate-neutral Economy
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This paper presents the EDU4PlasticCircular Erasmus+ project, which develops a comprehensive training program for higher education staff, students, and industry professionals to advance sustainable plastic management within a circular and climate-neutral economy, addressing a critical gap given that only 9% of plastics ever produced have been recycled.
Plastic has become indispensable since its introduction in the late 1800s, valued for its flexibility, durability, and affordability. Global plastic production has grown exponentially, reaching 400.3 million metric tons in 2022, despite a temporary decline in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, only 9% of all plastics ever produced have been recycled, with 60% accumulating in landfills or the environment, underscoring an urgent need for sustainable solutions to manage plastic waste. To address this challenge, the Erasmus+ project EDU4PlasticCircular aims to bridge the gap in sustainable development education related to plastics. Through collaboration with six organizations across four countries, the initiative is developing a comprehensive training program targeting higher education staff, students, and industry professionals. Employing innovative methodologies and an open-access online platform, the program emphasizes the transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy with a focus on plastics. This paper outlines the project's objectives, methodologies, and anticipated outcomes, including equipping learners with the skills needed to advance sustainable practices. By fostering a deeper understanding of the circular economy, the initiative aims to promote sustainable practices and raise awareness about the critical issues surrounding plastics.
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Knowledge and Learning Preferences in Circular Economy and Plastics: A Case Study from the Faculty of Environmental Protection
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Researchers conducted a gap analysis at the Faculty of Environmental Protection and Erasmus+ partner institutions to assess students' and staff's knowledge and perceived usefulness of topics covering plastic waste, circular economy, and responsible behaviour as part of the Edu4PlastiCircular project. Both groups rated topic usefulness higher than their current knowledge levels, with a preference for hybrid learning formats.
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