This learning project addressed the persistent gap between recycling legislation and everyday practice in Greece. Developed at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and co-implemented with the NGO ΑΝΑΚΥΚΛΩΝΩ (Anakyklono), the project aimed to explore and improve urban recycling behavior through design-based learning, community engagement, and public-facing interventions.

Students examined systemic waste management failures and created educational campaigns tailored to local audiences. They co-operated a mobile recycling lab (van), designed stickers and posters, conducted bin audits, and hosted community events. The project emphasised experiential learning and supported SDGs 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 11 (Sustainable Cities), 13 (Climate Action), and 4 (Quality Education).

Challenge
Greece faces low recycling rates and widespread contamination of recyclable materials due to insufficient public understanding and engagement. The project addressed the educational and cultural barriers hindering effective recycling in urban areas, focusing on SDGs 12, 11, 13, and 4.

Target Groups:

• Direct beneficiaries: 4 students (undergraduate and postgraduate) from the Faculty of Philosophy and Education.

• Indirect beneficiaries: Thessaloniki residents engaged through public events, school groups, and municipal stakeholders.

Solution
Students investigated recycling systems, conducted waste audits, and designed a mobile educational intervention. They created visual tools using humor and local idioms to promote better recycling practices, hosted public pop-ups to educate residents, and collected feedback through digital surveys. The result was a mobile, modular learning experience that combined data collection with behavior change.

Innovation
The “Recycling Awareness Van” functioned as a traveling sustainability classroom. The project merged real-time community education with playful, participatory activities like sorting games and pledges. It redefined recycling education as an interactive, bottom-up process embedded in daily urban life.

Impact
Students gained interdisciplinary skills in environmental communication, civic facilitation, and campaign design. More than 500 citizens participated in hands-on learning activities. The project sparked tangible behavior change—at personal, family, and community levels—and has the potential to scale to schools and city-wide campaigns.

This student project is submitted through:
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
It involved 4 students from the Department of Philosophy and Education

Project poster: Download Here