Mismanaged plastic waste is a major threat to the well-being of our environment. Rapid urbanization and growth of population make collection and waste management more challenging, especially in developing regions. Helping societies with the right knowledge and tools to better cope with their waste is a key factor to create a more sustainable future.

Changemakers empowers students with the knowledge and tools to manage plastic waste sustainably. In 2022 a pilot project was implemented across 69 selected high schools in the Sundarbans and the metropolitan Kolkata region. Over 45,000 students participated in the pilot and learned about plastic and its sustainable waste management through various hands-on activities including upcycling workshops, community dialogues and interactive learning sessions.

Soceo has designed the behavioral change material, conducted the Baseline Study and developed the printed as well as digital material. A transfer concept has been developed that allows to scale the initiative to other regions in future.