University Of Reading Children’s Packaging Workshop Emerges As Success

Children do “fun, easy, and interesting” activities to learn about how to dispose of food packaging sustainably.

During November, 200 Reading school pupils, aged 7 to 11 years, took part in workshops as part of a University of Reading project, funded by EIT Food. EIT Food is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

Dr Stella Lignou led the research. She 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 said: “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.

“Recycling Water Bottles” by Mr.TinDC is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.