Leave Zero Waste for The Future

"<< Background >>With the project partners, we reflected on the fact that we waste too much in Europe and most of the waste we produce is still buried or burned. Only 40 percent is recycled. The need to implement a zero-waste strategy, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators by involving individual local communities in the ecological management of their own waste, is noted on many fronts. The realization that reuse, recovery, recycling, and composting are essential for our planet has prompted us to implement this project, raising awareness of environmental issues among the younger generation. Each school involved in the project conducted surveys among students to understand their level of knowledge and awareness on the topic. The results revealed low knowledge on the subject. It was observed that students needed training on how to prepare activities and teaching materials related to recycling. In our project, we tried to make our students protagonists of good green practices, with interventions involving all school administrations. Educating our students from an early age about proper waste management in our schools will be the first step in initiating an ecological transition in all layers of society.<< Objectives >>We tried to set binding targets for waste prevention and recycling to contribute to the ecological transition. In general we wanted to achieve:-The establishment in all schools of recycling and temporary storage areas by students and teachers-The source decomposition process turned into a habit by students, teachers and parents starting from their homes. - Development of collaboration among students, teachers and parents in waste management practices-Reduction of waste generated in all schools-Reduction of carbon footprint by minimizing energy consumption in schools; -Experimentation of recycling practices by students through workshop activities- Understanding and acquisition of new concepts such as ""Recycling Greenhouse,"" ""Compost,"" ""Up-cycling,"" and ""biogas"" in Zero Waste applications; knowledge of the ISO 14001 environmental management system and the Green School label; - integration of Zero Waste and Recycling into the school curriculum; acquisition of a new perspective on nature education, permaculture and artistic designs; first-hand knowledge of the educational systems of different countries, recognizing different cultures and acquiring language skills in Europe; production and dissemination of good green practices.<< Implementation >>We implemented 4 LTTAs by conducting numerous workshops on recycling processes, creating school recycling areas, and developing an exemplary model of reorganizing zero waste areas. In addition, as a result of the workshops conducted during LTTAs, our students were provided with new products from waste materials through their artistic and creative projects. In these workshops, our students learned how to make soap from waste oils and produce domestic waste biogas and make compost. In the Recycling Greenhouse, our students built a greenhouse from recyclable materials in their schools and grew organic produce using the soil obtained from compost in this greenhouse. As part of the activities carried out for the integration of zero-waste processes into the curriculum, we also created a Zero Waste learning kit ( containing design of the ecological paths carried out, an introductory booklet on the topic of recycling and zero waste, slogans, songs, games, stories, and design ideas on the central theme of the project), and with this kit, our teachers will be able to carry out activities related to zero-waste processes in their lessons, and students will be able to learn about zero-waste processes in a fun way.<< Results >>The concrete outputs of our project were two: a Greenhouse made from recycled materials in each partner schools garden, suitable for practicing soilless agriculture and vertical farming in it with the soil made from compost A Zero Waste Learning Kit which will help teachers for carrying out activities related to zero waste processes in their lessons. Other results of the project were: acquisition of detailed knowledge and skills on zero waste and recycling; improvement of each school community's ability to sort and sort waste materials at the source; creation of areas for zero waste collection and storage; acquisition of knowledge and skills on lifelong culture practices through NGOs participating in the project; integration of Zero Waste and Recycling subjects into the curriculum; reduction of carbon footprint in schools; creation of numerous teaching materials using recycled materials for all lessons; understanding of the importance of recycling in industry and related economic benefits; gaining knowledge and skills on off-farm farming, compost production, and vertical farming; improvement of collaborative skills, communication skills, cross-cultural learning, and development of critical thinking."