These experiments will show the importance of the circular economy in a social and environmental context, raise awareness of plastic and waste pollution, and teach attendees how to differentiate between biodegradable and conventional materials.

These experiments will show the importance of the circular economy in a social and environmental context, raise awareness of plastic and waste pollution, and teach attendees how to differentiate between biodegradable and conventional materials.

There will be a treasure hunt simulator where participants will find all kinds of human-generated materials/waste in the sand of the beach. Visitors, mainly children, will compete to find and classify these materials, which can have a positive or negative impact on the environment. Once they open the treasure chest, they will receive a box with seeds for them to plant a small tree. They will also learn about bioplastic degradation through an experiment; in it, participants will have to examine a conventional plastic and a biodegradable one retrieved from the sand. In this way, they will understand the difference between both types and the need to keep our beaches and our environment clean.

Attendees will also learn about the circular economy. Making reference to a European project (ECOFUNCO, BBI-H2020), we will highlight the importance of valorising agricultural and food waste. They will have to determine the most significant stages or processes in the framework of the circular economy. Besides, some of the final applications developed within the project will be shown.

Coordinated by: María del Carmen Garrigós Selva, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, NANOBIOPOL Group, University of Alicante.

Date and time: 30/09/2022 6-10 p.m.

Place: University of Alicante – San Vicente del Raspeig Campus