The Greenopoli method: engaging environmental education for sustainable waste management

The paper presents Greenopoli, an innovative framework for environmental and sustainability education that has involved more than 600 schools and about 90,000 students since December 2014. The method is based on the idea that children and young people can understand environmental issues even better than adults and can act as powerful agents of change within their families and communities. Greenopoli combines scientific accuracy with playful and creative tools such as storytelling, games, field visits, and especially green raps (i.e., short environmental songs co-created with students), which simplify complex topics and stimulate peer-to-peer learning. The framework adapts contents, methods, and timing to the different education stages, from kindergarten to higher education, making sustainability accessible at all ages. Beyond schools, Greenopoli has expanded its reach through collaborations with national consortia, cultural associations, municipalities, and media platforms, including TV programs and TEDx talks. The numerous awards and recognitions received between 2017 and 2025 at local, national, and international levels confirm its impact as both an educational method and a civic initiative. Greenopoli can therefore be considered a best practice in waste management and sustainability education, bridging the gap between theory and practice, academia and society, and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).