This game has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of the game is the sole responsibility of the project of Together for a Sustainable Europe (T4SE) and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union

Welcome to this interactive learning module. This module has been designed to promote Circular Economy in everyday life, in curating a birthday party.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:


1. Reduce waste

2. Save energy

3. Reuse Materials

4. Recycle

5. Circulate products and materials


Let's get started

What is a circular economy and how does it benefit us and our planet?


In the traditional linear economy model resources are extracted, used, and then discarded.

A more sustainable model known as the circular economy is an economic system that aims to minimize waste and maximize the efficient use of resources through strategies such as recycling, reuse, and regeneration.

Click the avatars to reveal the text

Hello, I’m Amelia! My 16th birthday is soon, and I want to organize a party having in mind the principles of Circular Economy. Can you help me?

What kind of invitations should I choose?


I decided to go for a blend of two. I designed digital invitations with a rustic, earthy theme that mimicked the look of recycled paper. This way, my guests will receive a visually appealing invitation while I spare the trees!

In the age of technology, Amelia could easily send digital invitations, saving paper and reducing waste. On the other hand, traditional paper invitations had an undeniable charm but were known to consume more resources and contribute to deforestation.

Trees help to regulate the climate by absorbing the CO2 present in the atmosphere. When they are cut down, this beneficial effect disappears and the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere, reinforcing the greenhouse effect.

Which of the following decorations would be a sustainable choice for my party?

I opted for the reusable items. I wanted my party to be a reflection of my values, and minimizing waste was a crucial part of that. Balloons and disposable decorations are colorful and fun but known to create waste that lingers long after the celebration ends. On the other hand, I contemplated the alternative of reusable fabric banners and paper lanterns, which could be used for other occasions or shared with friends for their events.

The linear economy, which has been the dominant model for decades, follows a linear "take-make-dispose" approach. In this model, resources are extracted, processed into products, used by consumers, and ultimately disposed of as waste.

However, this linear approach results in resource depletion, environmental degradation and waste accumulation, having significant limitations and negative consequences for both the environment and the economy, making a shift towards a circular economy imperative.

What food should I choose for my party?


I decided on a farm-to-table menu. This choice allows me to support local farmers, reduce the carbon footprint associated with food transportation, and showcase the delicious flavors of seasonal, locally sourced and organic ingredients.

By buying local products you are avoiding the air, land and sea transportation of merchandise, thereby reducing the emissions of polluting gases produced on these routes.

The carbon dioxide (CO2) resulting from human activities is primarily responsible for global warming. By 2020, its concentration in the atmosphere had increased to 48% above its pre-industrial (pre-1750) level.

Should I include meat in my menu for the celebration?


I chose a vegetarian menu, offering a variety of delicious plant-based dishes. I believe that my celebration could serve as an opportunity to show my friends that eco-friendly choices don’t mean sacrificing taste or tradition, but rather making choices that are kinder to the planet.

The world’s meat production is huge, and raising livestock activity has an impact on the environment. The digestion of food ingested by animals like for example cows produces large amounts of methane, one of the gases responsible of greenhouse effect, which is the main cause of climate change.

What tableware should I choose?


The accumulation of plastic waste produces adverse effects on the environment, wildlife and human health.
Single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, have a lifespan of mere minutes to hours, yet they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
Microplastics have been found in municipal drinking water systems and drifting through the air.
Millions of animals are killed by plastics.
Once plastics drift throughout the water in the open ocean they are virtually impossible to recover.
The solution is to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and seas. This could be accomplished with improved waste management systems and recycling.

Should I set up clearly labeled recycling and composting bins?


The 5R methodology is a process of waste management that takes an approach to zero waste thinking. The five steps are:

Refuse: Learn to say no to things you don’t need.
Reduce: Donate or sell. Let go of things that are no longer of use.
Reuse: Switch disposable items for reusable and permanent alternatives.
Recycle: Sort your waste correctly and minimize what you send to landfill.
Rot: Compost your own household waste or take part in a composting program for organic waste.

How should I thank my guests for coming?


Amelia had two options to consider: traditional party favors, which often include single-use items that might not be sustainable or upcycled party favors and eco-friendly items like reusable bamboo straws.

The circular economy aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency through strategies like recycling, upcycling and reuse. We can create new resources by upcycling, extend products’ lifespan learning about the processes of recycling materials, as well as finding opportunities to reuse components. Upcycling is an option that consists in the act of taking something no longer in use and giving it a second life and new function. The finished product often becomes more practical, valuable and beautiful than what previously was.

What kind of lighting should I choose for my party?


The principle of resource efficiency involves extracting fewer natural resources, using them more efficiently.
The circular economy encourages energy-efficient processes and also the use of renewable energy sources because it can lead to significant energy savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation.

What transportation to the party should I encourage?


Reducing transportation needs or choosing sustainable transportation systems contribute to reduce gas emissions and help the development of the planet.

What presents should I ask from my friends?


Amelia’s party was amazing! She had great ideas for environment preservation!

Yes! From now on I will try to do my best for taking my decisions based in the principles of the circular economy. We need to take care of our planet.

Congratulations!


You are now able to:


1. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

2. Cut down on what you throw away

3. Minimise your plastic waste

4. Reduce your carbon footprint

5. Upcycle