Gloves on and eyes attentive to every piece of trash hidden in the sand: this is how the environmental education morning started, which saw the students of the Istituto Comprensivo 4 of Grosseto as protagonists on Friday, April 4th, at the Bagno Moderno of Marina di Grosseto. The initiative, which is part of the Erasmus+ PARCCE project activities, involved the students in a hands-on experience, turning the beach CleanUp into a concrete opportunity for active learning.
The event was organized by Legambiente in collaboration with the Environment Assessor of the Municipality of Grosseto, Erika Vanelli, and with the Balneari della Maremma grossetana – Rete di imprese, and officially marked the beginning of the international mobilization weekend “Clean Up the Med,” which involves over 15 Mediterranean countries.
Thanks to the PARCCE project – which promotes the reduction of plastic and the adoption of more sustainable behaviors starting from schools – the students had the opportunity to directly witness the effects of marine pollution and reflect on their active role in protecting the environment. One of the main activities of the project is the “Plastic Free School” initiative, which is part of the Traditional Educational Material (TEM) of the Erasmus+ PARCCE project and encourages schools to reduce plastic consumption and promote more eco-friendly lifestyles.
During the day, the students collected cigarette butts, plastic bottles, and other trash, alongside citizens, tourists, and volunteers. The initiative emphasized the importance of synergy between institutions, communities, and local businesses for a greener future, as highlighted by the participants and local representatives.
The PARCCE project goes beyond raising awareness and offers a comprehensive educational path. Teachers and schools can join free online training courses available at parcce.envirolearning.net.
Marina di Grosseto was just one of many stops in this large mobilization. “Beaches and seabeds clean” is part of the international campaign Clean Up the Med, coordinated by Legambiente, which involves over 90 organizations in a collective action against marine pollution. Cleanup activities were carried out in many symbolic locations, from Tunisia to Spain, from Lebanon to Greece, in an international network united by the desire to protect the sea. Legambiente, from its operational center at Festambiente, continues to send the message: only with collective and continuous action can we save our sea.
For more information: www.legambiente.it/campagna/clean-up-the-med
To learn more about the PARCCE project: www.parcce.eu
