Y-EDCO is developing a set of innovative educational materials designed to help young people understand plastic pollution, microplastics, circular economy, green choices, and community action.
A key feature of the project is the use of Augmented Reality to make environmental education more interactive. Instead of relying only on traditional learning materials, Y-EDCO combines presentations, posters, quizzes, and digital triggers that allow learners to explore environmental topics in a more visual and engaging way.
The educational modules cover themes such as the consequences of plastic pollution and microplastics, alternatives to plastic, greenwashing and conscious consumer choices, community engagement, and social impact projects. For example, one module helps learners understand what microplastics are, how they form, how they spread through the environment, and how they affect ecosystems, food webs, and human health.
Other modules focus on innovation and alternatives to plastic, including bio-based materials, mycelium, algae-based packaging, edible or water-soluble packaging, recycled plastic bricks, enzymatic recycling, AI sorting, and microplastic filters.
The project’s educational materials are designed to be used by youth trainers, educators, NGOs, and local communities. Each module is planned to include educational content, a poster, and a quiz, with selected materials adapted for AR through Zapworks.
By combining environmental knowledge with digital tools, Y-EDCO aims to make learning more relevant for young people and to support the development of skills connected to sustainability, digital literacy, active citizenship, and green employability.