Zero Waste Futures Incursion

Program Overview

Transitioning society into a Circular Economy sounds like a complex and overwhelming process, but in reality – it can be quite simple. This incursion provides an understanding of the linear V the Circular Economy and discusses the difference between the technical and biological nutrients that are upcycled to create new and innovative products such as clothing that absorbs odour made from coffee waste and windscreens that are being broken down to make carpet backing.

But getting these raw feedstocks can be problematic – so we share how some companies are approaching this and showing you how you via a hands-on activity, you and your school can be hub of local innovation in the communities to share waste streams to create diversity, new jobs and industries.

This new program for levels 7 – 10 goes beyond recycling and introduces students to innovation that’s transforming waste into worth.  It covers Science, Design and Technologies, Economics and Business as well as Civics and Citizenship, Critical and Creative Thinking as well as Ethical Capability for Levels 7 – 10.

The 2 hour program Covers the first 3 modules.  The 4 hour program covers all 5 modules

The 4 hour program contains 2 extra modules.  Module 3 get students to reimagine the material options for single use plastic everyday products such as toothbrushes and Module 4 considers how, where and why waste occurs in our food chains and what we can about it.

MODULE 1: Why do we need a circular economy?

This module helps students to understand the difference between the circular economy and the linear economy, along with the technical and biological nutrients that become the raw materials or inputs for new products. It also introduces students to the concept of overshoot day, the 6th wave of innovation and what other countries are doing to fast track a circular economy.  Hands-on activities that help bring the learnings to life include a “waste and product matching activity” and a “brainstorming activity” to consider other items that could be made from the waste materials featured.

MODULE 2: Zero waste and closed loop systems

Students get an insight into the economic, social and environmental benefits of zero waste and closed loop businesses. We also take a deep dive into the challenges manufacturers can have obtaining waste materials as inputs as opposed to using virgin materials. 

MODULE 3: The light bulb moment 

Students learn a simple yet very powerful way to disrupt the waste crisis to spark an innovation revolution to create new jobs and industries by utilising local waste streams.  Students will work in small groups to identify waste streams of various local businesses and how they can be shared, to create a zero waste community.  This promises to be major light bulb moment of how simple the process can be!

MODULE 4: Material options for common everyday products

Working in small groups, students will tackle questions such as: What materials is your product, and its packaging made of?  What natural resources are used to make these materials? Can you estimate how long it would take for this product to ‘break down’ in landfill? Can the item and its packaging be recycled once it has been used? If it can be recycled, what new items could it be turned into? Is there an alternative way this item could be made that would make it reusable or more environmentally friendly? Can you replace something with nothing?

MODULE 5: Food Waste and the Circular Economy.

If food waste was a country, it would be the third biggest emitting country behind China and USA.  In this module we will look at how, where and why waste occur in our food chain, and work what can we do about it.  By the end of this module, students will be able to identify how to reduce food waste, the value of food waste, new options for food waste, and why burning waste i.e. waste to energy is not a smart option, especially if we are to provide resources for future generations. They will understand why soil health is important and how we can reduce stress on the human food chain by using a more natural source of protein for fish and poultry by upcycling food waste (maggot farming) using black soldier flies. 

All programs start with an introduction and end with a Call to Action allowing students to create a list of everyday actions that could be implemented to conserve either value virgin and or waste resources, that would then be shared with others either at home, at school or in the community.