Circular economy, cradle to cradle and zero waste frameworks in teacher education for sustainability

Abstract

Purpose Sustainability is a major concern in education policies. This paper aims to describe how alternative economic education including concepts of the circular economy (CE), cradle to cradle (C2C) and zero waste can be addressed by teacher education. The author asks to what extent such alternative concepts contribute to sustainability education and transitions and empower students and future teachers, through fieldtrips. Design/methodology/approach Fieldtrips to three extracurricular learning places in Graz (Austria) – a plastic waste disposal facility, an upcycling design atelier and a supermarket without packaging – were organized as part of a university seminar on economy and sustainability. Based on student essays reflecting the fieldtrips, this praxeological paper provides insights on how students perceive awareness-raising and innovative responses to mass consumption, recycling/upcycling and waste prevention issues. Findings Including altermatic economic frameworks, such as CE/C2C and zero waste, into teacher education contributes to reflections on the economic growth paradigm and promotes more sustainable futures. In various statements, students highlighted social-ecological change and awareness-raising. They rather focussed on recycling, upcycling and (plastic) packaging than on the problematic eco-efficiency of downcycling. Originality/value Alternative economic concepts can be addressed and critically reflected in sustainability education, even if rarely taught. Although the extracurricular learning places described offer partial solution from the perspective of degrowth, they can serve as an eye-opener and promote alternative economic education, where students can share experiences, knowledge and creative ideas to engage in sustainability transitions.

Tache with Trash: an image of integrating art with upcycling in the city of the future

“…TwT might be well situated within the frame of 'eco-pedagogy', which recommends making changes in economic, social and cultural structures to foster 'planetary citizenship' (Antunes & Gadotti 2005). Kowasch (2022) suggests that field trips are great opportunities for students to learn by seeing, touching and experiencing things firsthand. They also help students realize that they can make a difference in the world.…”

Pro-Environmental Determinants of Waste Separation: Does the Interaction of Human and Social Capital Matter? Evidence from Italian Provinces

“…As demonstrated by Bhattacharya [130], this mechanism could be triggered by offering social support to students, which would affect their prosocial attitude, and this would influence pro-environmental behaviours. Investing in specific education programmes is already in place in some European cities, as in the case of Graz (Austria) implementing the Zero Waste education [131]. The development of education toward this path through public investment in the South, which is the area most at risk of school dropout, would therefore have a threefold advantage by strengthening HC, SC, and increasing pro-environmental practices.…”

Zero-waste initiatives and circular economy in the U.S.: A review: Exploring strategies, outcomes, and challenges in moving towards a more sustainable consumption model

“…This model not only addresses environmental concerns but also offers significant economic and social benefits, contributing to sustainable development. The circular economy is not just a theoretical concept but a practical approach to sustainability that has been increasingly adopted in various sectors, including education, where it is used to teach future generations about sustainable consumption (Kowasch, 2022).…”

“…Overcoming this requires not only changes in consumer behavior but also significant shifts in production processes, supply chains, and governmental policies. Additionally, there is a need for more education and awareness-raising to ensure that all stakeholders, including consumers, businesses, and policymakers, understand the benefits of zero-waste and circular economy practices and are motivated to adopt them (Kowasch, 2022).…”