Circular Economy Resource Box
Over 20 products and samples from companies based in the South-West have kindly been donated to complete this teaching resource for every school in Devon. All products are made from recycled materials from fishing nets and plastic bottles to plant pots. Even the box itself is made from 88% recycled cardboard by Atlas Packaging in North Devon.
This resource has been developed to explore how products can be used in a circular way, extend pupils’ understanding of waste issues – including their past, present and future management. With public concern about environmental issues continuing to rise, making products using waste materials can form a sustainable solution for product design and manufacturing.
Recycling materials into new products pushes the boundaries of design and innovation, which can be used to inspire children’s own creative projects. Collaborating with companies based in the South-West indicates local innovation occurring around us every day and possibly within short distances from our schools.
GCSE specifications in design and technology requires students to consider the materials ecological footprint, how emerging technologies consider the environment, as well as environmental, social and economic challenges which influence manufacturing of products. Overall, this resource hopes to widen pupil’s perspective of “waste” being used in product design, in order to secure a sustainable future.
The resource boxes are currently being delivered to every secondary school around Devon to accompany the online resources. An adaptable PowerPoint presentation, quiz and group design activity found here.
