Recycling - A Comparative Study for a Sustainable Future

"How does recycling in the municipality, households and schools differ if you compare two European towns in different countries? To what extent do the citizens recycle their waste and their used items in order to achieve a sustainable lifestyle? Is public transportation the first choice or do people tend to take their private cars? This will be a comparative study between the two towns Gauchy in Picardie, France and Piteå in Norbotten, Sweden. The two towns are situated in parts of Europe that are geographically different and also vastly different in climate. Both towns are fairly small and somewhat distanced from international meeting points more easily found in bigger cities and many of the students have never been outside their hometown. The notion of being a part of the European union and open up towards other cultures and standards is something that needs to be experienced in order to be brought to life. In the coming project; through surveys and on-site-visits to the schools and households, the students will record and gradually become aware of similarities and differences in recycling and transportation habits and make active choices to achieve a sustainable lifestyle. 21 students from Gauchy, studying English and 21 students from Piteå, studying French, will take part in this project. In addition to the schools and the households, visits will be made to two different organizations in Piteå, managed by the municipality. Here recycling is being performed in various areas, receiving their items from citizens in the town, among others. Both students and teachers in the two towns have a lot to learn from each other which we have already seen in earlier contacts taken in 2018/2019. Two preparatory visits have been made, granted by Erasmus+ and twenty-five students have already visited Pitholmsskolan, Piteå, financed by the school Paul Éluard. Ever since the first preparatory visit, the involved teachers are discussing attitudes towards learning, the relationship teachers-students and methods to motivate our students to learn for life. After the visits and the exchange of information has been completed, the results will be compiled in a report disclosing the results. These results will be presented at the annual school conference ""Saving the Planet"" at Pitholmsskolan in Piteå and in a pamphlet and exhibition in Gauchy. We expect all participants to develop an awareness of the importance of everyday choices in order to contribute to a sustainable society as responsible and confident European citizens. Potential long term benefits will also be a change in teaching practices, since there are areas within both schools that can be improved and developed through the exchange."