Education to support the development of a circular economy approach

Abstract

Global environmental problems, wasteful over-consumption with the increasing volume of waste, growing and increasingly dangerous effects of pollutants released to the environment, depletion of raw material resources, all call attention that it's no longer enough to just talk about sustainability, but we need to act. It requires first of all a change in the approach to the economy and a turnaround to replace the linear management systems still widely used today with a waste-free system. The product of today is the raw material of the future. The implementation of circular economy

requires long-term thinking covering the entire life cycle of products from the initial moment of design. It requires well- informed decision-makers who have all the competencies that help to validate the mechanism of natural ecosystems'

operations in today’s economic systems. Development of skills and abilities expects a change of attitude in education. Through education, such knowledge and values must be conveyed, skills and abilities essential for the realization of a sustainable society and economy must be developed, primarily the responsibility and ethical behaviour towards the environment. This is supported by Environmental Pedagogy as an integrated, independent science and educational strategy for project teaching. The study presents an educational strategy that is also effective in developing the competencies needed to implement a circular economic approach.