Major themes such as the circular economy, sustainability and technical innovation play an increasing role in the Dutch educational system. They are however quite abstract for many students. Both teachers and students require relevant and imaginative, interactive and concrete educational materials. The Perpetual Plastic Project fulfils that need, and raises awareness of plastic waste among consumers and students. DST developed the pilot school program for Perpetual Plastic Project’s primary school lessons.
Waste re-use
Perpetual Plastic has been touring Europe for years with its homemade eye-catching recycling machines. These 3D-printers recycle plastic waste on the spot, such as drinks cups, and repurpose it as e.g. hipster jewellery. In this way visitors learn how to take a different approach to plastic waste and get acquainted with new 3D-printing techniques.
Educational compatibility
Schools are an important target group for Perpetual Plastic. However, the educational compatibility of the enthusiasm-driven work was missing. Together with Perpetual Plastic, Better Future Factory and CityLab010 DST developed an interactive educational program that raises awareness of plastic waste issues among Rotterdam school children.
Result
Using the Perpetual Plastic recycling machines and tailor-made classes, primary school students experience the recycling process themselves in their classrooms. The program for groups 7 and 8 is a local Rotterdam pilot that forms the basis for a later nationwide program. The experience gained in the pilot, enables Perpetual Plastic Project to further adjust its national program to its audience.
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