Recicla+ project: education for a sustainable future

Environmental awareness has never been as essential as it is today. To establish a sustainable culture and promote a change in waste disposal, the Recicla + Project was conceived. With a focus on environmental education, this initiative seeks to educate children, adolescents, young people, and the general community about the importance of plastic in the local economy and the positive impacts of its correct disposal.

The Arnolfo Azevedo State School, located in Lorena (SP), was chosen as the setting for the project’s trial. With the intention of expanding its operations to several regions of Brazil in which Valgroup operates, Recicla + aims to build a more sustainable future.

One of the key approaches is the “Recycle + Challenge”. This program aims to engage students through healthy competition. The task is simple: remove PET bottles from the environment. For each bottle collected, points are accumulated, stimulating teamwork and collective awareness. At the end of the period, the class that has collected the most bottles will be rewarded, not only with the honor of contributing to a cleaner planet, but also with prizes.

There are 821 students from Arnolfo Azevedo School actively participating in this challenge. In addition, 50 educators are involved as message propagators. Teachers and members of the technical team play a crucial role in spreading awareness about recycling and sustainability.

Proper disposal is a key aspect of the challenge. All bottles collected in the Recicla+ Challenge are sent for recycling through the Valeplast company in Lorena (SP). The company performs the separation, pressing and baling, sending the materials to Valgroup’s recycling plant at Valgroup’s Rio de Janeiro unit. This process closes the circular economy cycle, fulfilling the main objective.

In addition to the challenge, the school promotes “electives” in which students work on projects connected to sustainability, promoting values such as competence, autonomy, and solidarity. Knowledge about selective collection, recycling and positive environmental impact is disseminated, engaging Valgroup employees.

By the end of the challenge, the winning class and its most active members are recognized. The class will receive a movie theater experience with popcorn and soda, plus a visit to the Valgroup factory. The most engaged student will be awarded with a personalized trophy, as well as the most engaged teachers.

The Recicla+ project is not just a competition, but a journey towards environmental awareness and the promotion of a more sustainable future.