Blast the Plast Erasmus Project

Project Title

Blast the Plast

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Environment and climate change; Energy and resources; Civic engagement / responsible citizenship

Project Summary

The Erasmus+ project “Blast the Plast” is a project involving three partner schools from Germany, Iceland and Sweden with students from lower secondary level. Civic engagement and responsible citizenship are the main priorities of this project with the reduction of single use plastic being the major aim of the 2018 European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy of the European Commission. In addition, students have to be made aware that it is essential and crucial to work together globally to eliminate plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on people and the environment and thereby preserve our resources. As a result of the project , the link between plastic pollution and climate change should become more apparent to our future generation as well as the individual contribution they can make.
According to the European Commission, more than 80% of marine litter is plastics. Due to its slow rate of decomposition, plastic accumulates in seas, oceans and on beaches in the EU and worldwide. Plastic residue is found in marine species and therefore in the human food chain. In 2018 the European Commission passed a bill on ban on throwaway plastics by 2021. The consumption of several items, for which no alternative exists like food containers will have to be reduced by member states by least 25% by 2025. A plastic bag for instance is used on average for 15 minutes, yet could take 100 – 300 years to fragment.
The objective of “Blast the Plast” is to equip young students with the tools to create positive, lasting environmental change. It is an investigative, action-packed vision for stopping plastic pollution at source.
According to this our two year project will include the following measures:
1. Getting to know the background: Becoming plastic detectives
Students will be able to analyze the current situation of single-use plastic with geographically based focuses on land and sea. They will get to know the countries´ different approaches on plastic waste disposal and recycling and compare recent studies on their efficiency.
During multiple excursions and round tables with European experts from various fields the students will gain first hand knowledge and be inspired on how to tackle the issue.
Making own experiences:
2. After having gained a solid background knowledge via research, talking to experts, reading books and scientific articles students will exchange their impressions and debate their ideas. They will design and perform science experiments and try to live plastic free for a restricted period of time. In that context, students will be experiencing a zero waste shopping tour in Freiburg. In addition, according to their own research, students will manufacture their own plastic free solutions for potential plastic hazards at school such as veggie bags or bee’s wrap. They will furthermore get to know country specific companies that are pioneers of the plastic free movement and design materials and outreach to a list of recommended vendors for healthier alternatives to disposable plastic products. Step by step, they will create their own plastic free ambassador´s kit to navigate through their everyday school life. Moreover, they will gain a first hand insight on the importance of preserving nature and the impact of plastic waste by experiencing a reserve designated by UNESCO in Mariestad. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the European parliament in Strasbourg to see how the European countries work together.
3. Becoming an ambassador: Tackle the plastic pollution
Due to their research, students will be aware of the damage that plastic causes to the environment and wildlife. They will hold Ted-talks, make stop motion videos, create their own DIY projects, design science experiments and will work with the solutionbased approach of Design thinking to solve problems. The students will discuss in international groups about their dreams, future visions and expectations for one united Europe in presence of media and politicians. In addition, students will try and start their own initiatives to implement plastic reduction at their school, encouraging and educating students, faculty, and parents to make plastic-free commitments to use reusable water bottles and tote bags and pack waste-free lunches. All the participants involved will gain a rewarding experience as European plastic ambassadors that will be promoted by using the results such as e.g. the project website. Moreover, a ten step program for becoming a plastic free school will be written and implemented first in our schools and later disseminated in the corresponding education boards of the countries involved as best practice examples for other schools. The program will empower pupils to tackle unnecessary single-use plastics in their everyday life at school, daily lives and maybe even further on to inspire Industry and Government to make positive strategic steps in the same direction and therefore create their own plastic free legacy.

Project Website

http://plasticfreeschool.eu/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 48877,6 Eur

Project Coordinator

Alemannenschule Wutöschingen & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Tunaholmsskolan
• Sjalandsskoli