Civic engagement and responsible citizenship are the main priorities of this project with the reduction of single use plastic being the major aim of the 2018 European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy of the European Commission.

In addition, students have to be made aware that it is essential and crucial to work together globally to eliminate plastic pollution and its toxic impacts on people and the environment and thereby preserve our resources. As a result of the project, the link between plastic pollution and climate change should become more apparent to our future generation as well as the individual contribution we can make.

According to the European Commission, more than 80% of marine litter is plastics. Due to its slow rate of decomposition, plastic accumulates in seas, oceans and on beaches in the EU and worldwide. Plastic residue is found in marine species and therefore in the human food chain. In 2018 the European Commission passed a bill on ban on throwaway plastics by 2021. The consumption of several items, for which no alternative exists like food containers will have to be reduced by memberstates by least 25% by 2025. A plastic bag for instance is used on average for 15 minutes, yet could take 100 – 300 years to fragment. The objective of “Blast the Plast” is to equip young students with the tools to create positive, lasting environmental change. It is an investigative, action-packed vision for stopping plastic pollution at source and generating ideas for a plastic free school.

All the participants involved will gain a rewarding experience as European plastic (free) ambassadors that will be promoted by using the results such as e.g. the project website. Every mobility, the ambassadors will be rewarded with an additional part of their ambassador kit showing their plastic free items back home at their schools in their daily routines.  In addition to that, they will officially be appointed as plastic (free) ambassadors and receive their certificate during the closing ceremony.