Global initiative to improve plastic education launched today

Today (20 September), a new global initiative aiming to improve education on plastic in the curriculum has been launched, with plastic waste labelled as one of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet.

‘Plastic Changemakers’ by The Breteau Foundation aims to put plastic education at the forefront for educators worldwide and address the need for increased knowledge and understanding of plastic for primary-aged pupils. 

As part of the initiative, the foundation has worked with environmental and educational experts to create a comprehensive and free-of-charge education pack, specifically designed as a ready-to-use solution for time-stretched teachers. 

The Plastic Changemakers education pack consists of five modules, each including everything educators need to deliver lessons on the subject, including lesson plans, presentations, and engaging activities for pupils.

The five modules seek to equip children aged 7-11 with a comprehensive knowledge about plastics, including why they were created, the current state of plastic waste, and how people can seek to tackle the issue. 

The final module of the pack focuses on teaching children about empowerment and leadership, as well as how to become an ambassador for change in the fight against plastic, so that they can become advocates for reducing plastic waste in their homes and local communities.

The Plastic Changemakers initiative has been launched in collaboration with the makers of popular TV series ‘Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir’, with the characters from the hit series appearing throughout the education pack to make each module fun and accessible for children. Each module is launched with an introductory video from one of the characters, aiming to engage pupils in the activities and bring them to life.

Leanne Chorekdjian-Jojaghaian, primary teacher at Kingsbury Green Primary School, who has piloted the Education Pack in her classroom, said: “My students have absolutely loved piloting the Plastic Changemakers Education Pack. They are so stimulated by the activities provided by the pack, which make the topics fun and accessible for them. 

“Children are so engaged in the topic of plastic pollution, so it is great to be able to give them lessons like this and give them the tools to inspire others to take action on plastic pollution”.

Emma Becker, former teacher and executive director at The Breteau Foundation, added: “We are so incredibly excited to see the Plastic Changemakers initiative launch. 

“As a former teacher, I know first-hand how helpful this Education Pack will be to all educators, as all of the leg-work has been taken out of the lesson planning process so that they can focus solely on delivering their lessons.”

Sebastien Breteau, founder of The Breteau Foundation adds: “It is so important to address the topic of plastic pollution with the children of today, as they are the leaders of tomorrow.”

Alongside the Education Pack, The Breteau Foundation, ZAG and Mediawan Kids & Family have co-produced an episode of the Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir called ‘Action’ where the characters of the show seek to demonstrate how small efforts can make a big impact in the fight against plastic.

The Plastic Changemakers Education Pack and ‘Action’ episode are now available on The Breteau Foundation website from today. All educators are able to download the pack for free and stream the episode at https://plastic-changemakers.breteaufoundation.org/

From 1 October 2023, there will be additional bans and restrictions on single-use plastic items in England. Read more about this here.