In order to close the loop on the plastics circular economy, education about the responsible disposal of plastic waste must start at a grass roots level in schools.
Ellen MacArthur
This is why the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, together with World's Largest Lesson, has launched a two-part lesson introducing the key facts about the global plastics economy and how innovation could transform it.
Redesigning Plastics explores how a plastics circular economy can be made possible, encouraging students to take on creative design challenges of their own.
Redesigning Plastics brings global issues to the front of students' minds encouraging them to understand how economics, the environment and design all link together.
Using the circular economy framework, students are empowered to think differently and find systemic solutions to systemic problems.
The lesson plan aligns well with the recently launched New Plastics Economy Innovation Prize. This $2 million (€1.7 million, £1.56 million) prize, funded by Wendy Schmidt as Lead Philanthropic Partner of the New Plastics Economy Initiative, calls for innovators, designers, scientists and entrepreneurs to help create packaging that keeps plastics out of the ocean.
The lesson will be part of the World's Largest Lesson 2017, which aims to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by addressing the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Redesigning Plastics specifically focuses on Global Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption & Production.
The 2017 campaign begins on the 18th September and more resources for Global Goals for Sustainable Development can be found here.
