PlasticValue: Starting a Plastic Revaluation Revolution

EU regulations have established a climate recovery path focused on circular economy strategies, outlined in the EU Green Deal’s Circular Economy Action Plan. This plan targets sectors like plastic...

PlasticValue aimed to equip professionals, especially in innovation and production, with skills to revalue plastic waste using co-creation and design approaches, promoting circular economy practices within SMEs. Specific objectives of the project were: 1) Develop a validated learning programme which offers a combination of innovative and green sectoral skills to achieve plastic waste revaluation using innovative co-creation and co-design approaches. 2) Implement a validation strategy, which integrates different profiles from businesses and C-VET (teachers and learners) providing a work-based learning approach. 3) Create forward-looking guidelines to support (C-)VET organizations in adapting their training offer and creating new curricula, related to plastic revaluation, in line with the professional’s and market’s needs, and enhancing green competences. 4) Create a digital space to share plastic revaluation best practices, inspiring and motivating future and current professionals to become agents of environmental change. 5) Enable a new VET profile in the field of plastic waste revaluation with a strong circular skillset and be competitive to upfront labour market changes.

During the lifespan of the project, the consortium has undertaken several activities, ensuring that SMEs and VET acquired skills and competences to embed concepts, methods and procedures about plastic revaluation in their daily activities and curricula. The project was structured into 4 Project Results (PRs) and involved 10 Multiplier Events to ensure comprehensive coverage and effectiveness. Each PR was designed to address different aspects of plastic revaluation and circular economy education. PR1, titled 'Cocreation & co-design practices for plastic revaluation,' involved undertaking case studies analysis to understand current practices in plastic revaluation. It also focused on defining a competence framework and developing a blended learning approach that would later be implemented across the project. PR2, 'Online learning programme and platform implementation,' was related to the technical development of the e-learning platform and the creation of learning content. It also developed a methodology to assess participants’ skills, ensuring the learning outcomes were effectively met. PR3, 'PlasticValue support materials, methods, and tools,' took a more interactive and practical approach. This phase involved pilot activities designed to engage targeted participants in validating the PlasticValue learning programme. This included testing the content, methods, tools, and the platform developed in earlier phases. An improved final version of the learning programme was delivered, complemented by a success-stories showcase section, highlighting effective practices and outcomes. Finally, PR4, 'Insights and experiences for stakeholders,' aimed at developing four specific guidelines based on the project outcomes and the results obtained from participants. These guidelines were tailored for the project's main targets and stakeholders, including SMEs, (C-)VET organizations, business hubs, and public administrations, ensuring that the insights gained were disseminated effectively.

The PlasticValue project delivered significant outcomes to advance plastic revaluation within a circular economy: Case study database: A comprehensive database was developed, containing 56 potential case studies, 15 NGO initiatives, and 4 resources from scientific literature, showcasing best practices in plastic revaluation. Competence framework: A detailed competence framework was established, outlining necessary skills and competencies for effective plastic revaluation, which supports all educational programs. Online learning platform: A robust online learning platform was created, offering educational and training materials structured around the revaluation process, available in multiple languages to ensure broad accessibility. Development and validation of learning content: Existing materials were mapped, gaps identified, and new content created, which was integrated into the e-learning platform, focusing on practical and online learning. Skills assessment method and self-assessment logbook: A method focusing on self-assessment and peer-assessment was developed alongside an online instructional guide and logbook to facilitate learning validation during pilot testing. Pilot testing activities: Series of pilot activities were conducted, including internal, online, and on-site testing involving over 200 participants, to refine and validate the learning programs and tools. Digital toolbox: A 'Toolbox' was created, showcasing 30 practical tools for revaluation, each tool’s description provides guidelines on its usage specifically for plastic revaluation, available on the e-learning platform. Guidelines: Comprehensive guides were developed for VET organizations, SMEs, business hubs and public administrations, providing structured advice on adopting circular economy practices and enhancing environmental training programs. Innovative prototypes and ideas showcase: A showcase section was launched on the website, displaying 19 innovative prototypes and ideas developed during the piloting phases, inspiring professionals and organizations to adopt similar sustainable practices.