High School-Hub: Circular Economy Accelerator in the Local Community

1. Objectives & Central Challenge

The project addresses the urgent problem of plastic pollution by asking: “How can our school eliminate single-use plastic waste while simultaneously influencing local businesses? It develops students’ Sustainability Citizenship competencies across three dimensions:

• Thinking (Knowledge): Understanding circular economy principles (reduce, reuse, recycle), systemic causes of climate change, and the EU SUP Directive.
• Acting (Skills): Conducting waste audits, analyzing material flows, designing digital solutions, and negotiating environmental commitments.
• Being (Values): Fostering personal accountability, self-efficacy, and pro-environmental behavior.
• 2. Methodology & Implementation PhasesThe initiative spans 16 weeks across 5 structured phases:
  • Phase 1 — Inquiry (Waste Audit & MFA): Research teams weigh daily plastic waste (PET, HDPE, SUP) using precision scales, record baseline data in Google Forms/Sheets, construct Material Flow Analysis (MFA) diagrams, and interview school staff, parents, and local cafe owners.
  • Phase 2 — Co-Design (Design Thinking Lab): Students apply How Might We framing and Crazy 8s brainstorming to evaluate solutions against sustainability and feasibility criteria. They prototype Smart QR Bins linked to digital sorting guides, a Google Forms-based Swap Platform for school supplies, and promotional campaign materials.
  • Phase 3 — Action (Multimedia & Field Interventions): Implementation scales up through four creative channels:
    1. “Circular Words” Podcast: Recording and editing 10–15 minute episodes on Anchor/Spotify interviewing local stakeholders and environmental experts.
    2. CapCut Video Documentary: Producing a 5–8 minute narrative documenting the school’s circular transition.
    3. Upcycling Art Workshop: Creating 10–15 sculptures and artworks from collected plastic waste.
    4. Interactive AR Sustainability Mural: Painting a permanent outdoor mural embedded with Augmented Reality (Artivive App/AR Tutor) triggers that display student video stories when scanned.
  • Phase 4 — Analysis (Data & Reflective Portfolios): Post-intervention waste measurements are recorded into a Google Looker Studio Live Dashboard to quantify single-use plastic reduction (targeting up to -73.3% SUP waste reduction). Students compile reflective e-Portfolios on Google Sites/Padlet.
  • Phase 5 — Sharing (Community Event & EU Networking): An Open High School-Hub Event brings together students, municipal representatives, parents and business owners for round-table discussions, live dashboard demonstrations, and the formal signing of Commitment Certificates by local food-service businesses. Results and data are cross-uploaded to the BRIDGES European Portal for peer exchanges with partner schools.