5:5:500 – what does this mean? It means single use plastics. Five seconds to produce, five seconds to use and 500 years to break down. (Frans Timmermans, 2018). Currently an estimated 12.7 million tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans each year (Greenpeace, 2017). Clearly this must be addressed. Maintaining clean, healthy and thriving oceans is integral to our existence. We watched in shock as Blue Planet II demonstrated the impact of irresponsible consumption on life below water. Heart-wrenching footage showed bleached coral reefs, a hawksbill turtle tangled in a plastic sack and albatross parents feeding their chicks plastic. Talking about how we feel about this is a start, but it is not enough. We need to inform and educate our young people about responsible consumption.
"Our young people are the best advocates for changing habits at home."
Beyond the refillable water bottle
For young people to fully appreciate the impact that plastic is having on our planet, they need to understand the extent of plastic use, how plastics are manufactured and what happens when they are thrown away.
Begin with a plastic photo diary for a week – as seen in this Guardian article, or try the Plastic Challenge. Alternatively, a class trip to a local supermarket will highlight just how much packaging is used for a weekly shop. The data could then be analysed, and a persuasive letter written. Iceland were the first supermarket pledging to completely eliminate plastic packaging on their own-branded products. This gives substantial leverage to our learners to campaign for change from the other supermarkets. Follow this up with a video explaining the impact. There are many to choose from. We like this one by Ted Talks Ed
Pee, Poo and Paper!
The simple ‘3 Ps’ is incredibly helpful for teaching about how waste in our sanitation system ends up in our oceans. Our young people are the best advocates for changing habits at home. We shouldn’t be flushing anything else down our loos. The biggest plastic polluters from our toilets are cotton buds, face wipes and sanitary products. Plastic free, biodegradable alternatives are available for all these products, meaning that they can go to landfill conscience free. Visit here
"It is important that we position our learning about these issues within the broader framework of the SDGs and the UNCRC."
Depositing and Upcycling
While we’re waiting for biodegradable packaging, what do we do with our plastic waste? Young people can explore the benefits of a deposit return system, as well as the benefits of upcycling. Find out more about how pupils at Highpark Primary created their beautiful upcycled products during their Ocean Plastics topic
STEM
The STEM learning opportunities for creating sustainable packaging are endless. The UK’s Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) mission statement is a great starting point for discussion. Then why not have a go at Practical Action’s 'Plastic Challenge'
Celebrate success
Single use carrier bag usage has dropped by a staggering 650 million since the 5p charge was introduced, with major retailers indicating a reduction of around 80 per cent since October 2014. Biodegradable bags and take away boxes, bamboo cutlery and cardboard straws are now available. With our voices these products will become more widely used. We are delighted that Sunnyside Primary’s ‘Ocean Defenders’ have written an article about the huge success of their recent #NaeStrawsAtAw campaign – an inspiration for ocean defending teachers and pupils everywhere!
Framing plastic learning within the SDGs and the UNCRC
It is important that we position our learning about these issues within the broader framework of the SDGs and the UNCRC. SDG 12: Responsible consumption and SDG 14: Life below water are particularly pertinent when learning about ocean pollution. However, we can also connect with Article 24: Children’s Right to a clean and safe environment. We want to equip our young people with values and attitudes that promote critical thinking around the role of business, government, public and third sector organisations, and consumers in meeting the targets within these goals, and realising this Right for all children everywhere.
"Let’s do what we can to support our young people to become active citizens, empowered to protect our planet through their own actions, and by holding our decision makers and businesses to account."
The circular economy and the SDGs in Scotland
The SDGs are the key driver for governments and businesses to change their current production processes and support a circular economy, rather than the existing linear economy of make, use and dispose. This animation produced by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation also illustrates this philosophy. Scotland’s SDGs Network is a growing movement of business and third sector organisations embedding the goals in their business plans. Why not raise awareness of this during employability week? Young people could question future employers on their membership of the network, and on their corporate environmental responsibilities using the language of the SDGs!
#PassOnPlastic – a potential YouthQuake
Let’s do what we can to support our young people to become active citizens, empowered to protect our planet through their own actions, and by holding our decision makers and businesses to account. When they are passionate, they inform and educate their communities, making positive changes that will be beneficial to all life – above and below water.
