EDUCATION FOR PLASTIC IN A CIRCULAR AND CLIMATE NEUTRAL ECONOMY - PREVENTING WASTE ENDING UP INTO THE ENVIRONMENT

Anca DRAGHICI, Maria Elena BOATCA, Elena Cristina RADA, Dana Perniu, Anja BUBIK, Roxana Mihalea SIRBU, Cornelia BAERA

Abstract


Waste plastic materials create a huge pollution and being of great danger for our planet. Most of the accumulation of plastic parts of various sizes (such as parts of plastic parts, bottles, toys, bags, shoes, threads and fibers, clothes, etc.) comes from the process of consumption and use of plastic objects and it largely affects the Earth's environment, having negative effects on wildlife, wildlife habitat and human habitat alike. In this context, the paper is concerned with the designed of an awareness-prevention program via an original and comprehensive training program (available in multilingual for higher education institutions) aimed to reduce plastic waste and its impact in the early stages of the consumption. The presented initiative is supported by an Erasmus+ project which main objective is to develop and boost green skills of university teachers and students, managers and employees, green practices and awareness for plastic in circular economy and neutral economy and to contribute to the European Union’s digital transformation by: (1) Creating innovative training methods and reference process framework based on best practices of education; (2) Releasing open training materials, e-learning platform and upskilling at least 200 learners; (3) Gathering best practices of plastic in circular and neutral economy, releasing starter pack. The paper is willing to demonstrate how an international consortium approach at the higher education level could impact education for sustainable development.


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