Life in plastic is NOT fantastic

CSO: Asociación Ecoherencia
Area: Responsible consumption and waste.
Location: Alcalá de Guadaíra (province of Seville)

Type of project

The project highlights the problem of the unjustified use of single-use plastics, which cause pollution and affect the biodiversity of various ecosystems, among other things, or affect human health through microplastics. Primary plastic production is closely linked to the fossil fuel industry and contributes to climate change. The project provides rigorous scientific data in an informative manner and offers consumption alternatives to this type of waste, seeking to influence the sustainability habits of families in Alcalá de Guadaira and the general population. 

Target (Disengaged)

o ensure awareness and engagement among a typically disengaged audience, in this case families with school-aged children, the project adopts a participatory methodology focused on generating emotional and practical connections to climate change through the issue of single-use plastic consumption. We chose this audience because many families face multiple burdens: work, parenting and day-to-day demands, which relegate environmental issues to the background. Lack of time, domestic overload and immediate priorities limit the attention that many people can give to climate change and sustainability. In addition, family communication about climate change is a critical factor in transmitting environmental values and behaviours: studies show that when families discuss climate change, children increase their awareness and pro-environmental behaviour. The target audience is as follows: 150 primary school pupils; 450 family members; 1,000 members of the public; 10,000 people via social media; Alcalá de Guadaíra Town Council; 2 schools.

Science – Based

The project proposes citizen science. Participating families will carry out a scientific experiment designed by Ecoherencia and validated by specialists from the University of Malaga, through which they will record, classify and quantify the single-use plastics generated in their homes. This practical experience will allow them to experience all phases of the scientific method: observing, formulating hypotheses, measuring, analysing results and communicating them. By becoming an active part of the scientific process, families will gain a deep understanding of how knowledge is constructed and why it is reliable. This direct approach strengthens confidence in science by transforming curiosity into evidence and information into personal experience.

Gender

From a methodological point of view, the gender perspective is incorporated through various strategies: workshops and activities will be designed to ensure the equal participation of women and men, taking care to arrange schedules, spaces and formats that facilitate the attendance of women with family responsibilities. The participation of women will be promoted through family workshops, reinforcing social recognition of their role in climate action. Women participants will play a leading role in the formulation of solutions and alternatives, favouring co-creation processes where their proposals and experiences are central.

Planned activities

• To promote awareness and change consumption habits among families in the municipality of Alcalá de Guadaíra regarding the use of single-use plastics.

Action model

• The project places families at the forefront of change, combining awareness-raising with active participation: not only will they receive scientific information, but the project is also based on citizen science, with families in Alcalá de Guadaira participating in the development of a scientific experiment that will measure the amount of single-use plastics they generate over the course of a week, identify their sources and propose practical solutions to reduce them.