How can we work together in Zeeland towards a circular and sustainable future? Students from the HZ Impact Lab, in collaboration with the Zeeuwse Reinigingsdienst (ZRD), are seeking answers to this question by addressing real-world challenges.
For example, five students are investigating how the future circular craft centres on Walcheren, in the Oosterschelde region and in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen can reinforce one another. Among other things, they are looking at potential collaboration and specialisation between the regions. They are drawing inspiration from existing initiatives in the Netherlands.
Other students from the Pedagogy and Social Work programmes are examining how residents of Zeeland can be encouraged, in an accessible and positive way, to view waste separation not as an obligation, but as something that contributes to a cleaner living environment and a circular future. The ZRD is assessing whether their ideas can form part of the #doejemee campaign.
New insights
Through these assignments, students are contributing to current issues in Zeeland. At the same time, the ZRD is gaining new insights into the lives of young people. The collaboration has been made possible in part by HZ Nexus. The initial meetings and brainstorming sessions between the students and the ZRD have now taken place. Over the coming months, the students will continue with their research, fieldwork and the development of ideas.