Educate, empower, inspire: Zukunftsmobil imparts plastics knowledge to young people

Plastics are a valuable resource that can contribute to climate protection. Pöppelmann's Zukunftsmobil ("Future Mobile") educates schools, for example, about precisely this. With interactive workshops, it combines knowledge transfer about plastics with practical learning and shows children and young people the diverse possibilities and potential of plastics recycling and the Circular Economy. In an interview with K-Mag, Nick Link talks about what set the ball rolling for the development of the Zukunftsmobil, how it has developed into a mobile educational project and why it is so important to get young people interested in the sustainable use of plastics. Mr Link, with the Zukunftsmobil (formerly the Kunststoffmobil), you want to bring young people closer to the topic of plastics. How did the idea come about? Nick Link: One of our managing directors came up with the idea of using this plastic recycling project for public relations work with the support of our trainees via the "Precious Plastic" approach by industrial designer Dave Hakkens. Together with members of our company's youth and apprentice representatives, the technical training management then developed a concept for the Kunststoffmobil initiative, which has since been renamed "Zukunftsmobil". Two aspects took centre stage: firstly, the trainees were to act as ambassadors for their industry and disseminate information about plastics, recycling and the Circular Economy to the public. Secondly, in connection with their special commitment, they were to be given the opportunity to expand their expertise beyond their actual field of work. This is because the initiative brings them into contact with business processes and project management working methods. The concept convinced the Pöppelmann advisory board and management and so the Kunststoffmobil initiative was launched in spring 2018.