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Horizons and Challenges: An Overview of Strategies for Circular Economy Education in Schools

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Education is fundamental to preparing future professionals for the transition to a circular economy (CE), and it requires the development of competences from the earliest stages of schooling. Nevertheless, teachers continue to face challenges in integrating the circular economy into classroom practice. This article presents a literature review focused on identifying good practices that can support such integration. More than 30 replicable practices were identified; yet studies remain limited, particularly within primary and secondary education. Approaches predominantly focus on waste and recycling, with workshops frequently employed, although active methodologies also feature prominently. Contributions are most evident in science, technology, engineering and mathematics‐related fields, while the potential of information and communication technologies remains underutilised. Limited reference to public authorities and the absence of initiatives in the Global South, combined with a scarcity of structured methodologies and comprehensive didactic sequences, underscores the need for further progress. As a contribution, the article proposes a framework to support the transversal integration of circular economy in schools.

Source: Sustainable Development

DOI: 10.1002/sd.70531

Authors: Maiara Lais Marcon, Simone Sehnem

Institutions: Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Santa Catarina, Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina

Language: English

Topic: Environmental and sustainability education

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,250