HUNDREDS of children took part in “fun, easy and interesting” activities to learn how to dispose of food packaging sustainably.
Workshops organised by the University of Reading saw 200 Reading school pupils, aged 7 to 11 years, get hands on through interactive sessions.
The project was funded by EIT Food, which is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
Dr Stella Lignou led the research and said: “The initial findings are positive and exciting; hopefully, the children will now feel more confident about how to dispose of different food packages items.”
The team asked the participants about their experience and over 80% said that they will now change their food packaging disposal behaviour.
Over 80% of the children also learnt something new about disposing of food packaging items in a sustainable way.
Dr Lignou added: “The project focuses on the 3I’s: involving, informing and inspiring. We worked with primary school children in the Reading area via two interactive workshops and a one-week activity booklet completed at home. Most of the children enjoyed the activities and were engaged and interested.
“Children also took part in a drawing competition of a bin that can take all food packages and encourage people to recycle more, like a superhero bin.”
The project is in collaboration with Aarhus University and supported by Reading Borough Council and re3.
