Step 1: Explore the problem

Introduce the scale of plastic pollution and its effects on oceans, wildlife, and people:

• Only about 9% of plastic waste is recycled worldwide (OECD Global Plastics Outlook).
• Millions of metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year (Jambeck et al., Science, 2015).
• Microplastics have been found in seafood and sea salt.

According to Unplastify, the core of the problem is the misuse and overuse of plastic, not the material itself. Recycling alone is not enough; prevention and a change in our relationship with plastic are needed.

Evidence check: Use the Evidence lens from The Discernment Protocol. Ask students: Where does each of these figures come from? How would you check it? Have you heard other figures that are harder to verify?

Step 2: Watch a film and hold a structured discussion

Choose one film from the Unplastify collection (suggested films below). Everyone watches it in class, or at home at least one week before the discussion.

Two roles

• Discussion leader: prepares a short presentation to open the discussion, takes notes on the main ideas, and writes a brief summary afterward.
• Moderator: decides who speaks and keeps the discussion organized.

How it runs (55 minutes)

1. 10 minutes. The leader presents the film’s topic.
2. 40 minutes. Open discussion, started by the leader’s questions. Participants raise a hand to speak; the moderator chooses who speaks. Comments are brief and to the point.
3. 5 minutes. The leader recaps the main points.

Discussion prompts

• What problem does the film show, and who is most affected?
• What solution does the film show? What would it take to work where we live?
• What evidence does the film offer? What would you want to know more about?
• Read the filmmaker Q&A. Why did the filmmaker tell this story this way?

Step 3: Change our relationship with plastic

Individual audit

1. List every plastic item you use in a normal day: bottles, bags, packaging, utensils, and so on.
2. Mark the single-use items: things designed to be used once, such as water bottles, straws, cutlery, and bags.
3. Estimate how many of each single-use item you use per week. Focus on your top two or three.
4. Commit to stop using one single-use item. Set a realistic goal and timeline.

School strategy

1. As a group, choose one single-use plastic item to remove from the school community.
2. Design a strategy to remove it: communication, replacement, a ban, or a combination.
3. Present the strategy to school leadership.