RECYCLE-REUSE-REDUCE: Developing sustainable food packaging toolkits for school-aged children in Poland and Spain – A pilot study

Engaging future generations in sustainable initiatives is fundamental; accordingly, children need relevant education from an early age. This paper investigates the role of repeated exposure to interactive, creative and practical activities on subsequent awareness of sustainable food-based practices in two countries, Poland and Spain. Children (n = 89; 9-12 years) completed a series of activities centred around recycle, reuse and reduce “The 3Rs concept” coupled with surveys to quantify changes in knowledge pre and post activities. Overall, it was evident that children had relatively high environmental awareness and cited key sources of information as school and television. The activities were effective at increasing engagement with sustainable topics and practices. Sustainable behaviours increased: at school grounds mainly with waste disposal (sorting and recycling), daily practices outside school tapped into general environmental behaviours (saving resources, reducing waste), and disposal practices (sorting). Next steps will involve developing children-centric toolkits, measuring impact in different settings and encouraging uptake of everyday sustainable practices in children.