Greenopoli as a Capacity-Building Model for Circular Raw Materials and Recycling Education

The transition toward circular raw materials management requires not only technological innovation but also widespread social awareness, behavioral change, and long-term capacity building (De Feo et al., 2019; De Feo, 2022). In line with Sustainable Development Goal 12, education plays a critical role in enabling citizens to understand material cycles, recycling processes, and the strategic value of secondary raw materials in reducing dependency on virgin and critical resources. This contribution presents Greenopoli, an educational framework developed to promote sustainability, waste prevention, recycling, and circular economy principles through an engaging, participatory, and narrative-based approach (De Feo, 2014; De Feo, 2023; De Feo, 2026). Greenopoli integrates scientific accuracy with creative communication tools, including storytelling, gamification, music, and peer-to-peer learning, to make complex concepts related to resource management, recycling, and material recovery accessible across all age groups, from early childhood to higher education. The method positions learners as active protagonists and change-makers, fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer and reinforcing correct recycling behaviors within families and communities. Implemented in over 600 schools and involving more than 90,000 students, Greenopoli demonstrates measurable improvements in environmental awareness, recycling literacy, and pro-environmental behaviors. The paper discusses Greenopoli as a best-practice model for education and capacity building within circular raw materials policies, highlighting its scalability, adaptability, and contribution to bridging the gap between circular economy strategies and societal engagement. The experience shows that creative, learner-centered education can effectively support sustainable resource management and strengthen the social dimension of circular economy transitions.