R-Value National Focus Group Report

Focus group participants expressed a strong desire to positively impact the environment and engage in environmental projects. Environmental protection in Italian schools is popular, with recycling bins and drinking water available. However, single-use plastic use during Covid slowed progress. While students try to be sustainable at school, they struggle to maintain eco-friendly habits at home or with friends. They separate waste and use apps like Junker. Despite workload challenges, covering sustainability topics in school is deemed crucial. Students propose involving residents in neighborhood clean-ups and organizing sustainability-themed activities. Teachers feel supported theoretically but face logistical and bureaucratic hurdles. Overall, there’s a willingness to learn and act on sustainability.