This playlist empowers youth, youth workers, and youth organizations to creatively engage with the theme of plastic pollution through “Plastic Detective Reports”.
Participants learn how to use 'Short format video reports' (suitable for TikTok, Instagram, etc) by becoming a 'Plastic Detective' video reporter that investigates plastic use, waste, and solutions in their environment.
It uses Youtube tutorials, free tools, step-by-step guidance, and reflective tasks that support confident, creative, and media-savvy sustainability education.
By earning badges, participants gain credentials in environmental communication and digital storytelling, while contributing to a more sustainable future.
This activity aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Participants explore local and global plastic waste issues and use video to communicate findings and inspire change.
By completing this activity, you will
- Create a short video report (1–3 minutes) that highlights a plastic problem and a possible solution.
- Learn basic video storytelling skills: scripting/storyboarding, filming, and editing.
- Investigate plastic waste in your home, school, or neighborhood.
- Reflect on personal and community behavior around plastic use.
- Learn how to inspire others through digital storytelling.
- Strengthen your digital and environmental literacy.
Get inspired
This badge activity transforms participants into “Plastic Detective Video Reporters.” Through storytelling and media-making, they document real-life challenges and solutions related to plastic waste.
It helps youth develop their voice and vision as video-reporters, while youth workers and organizations gain tools to support project-based learning using mobile video.
Watch sample reports on: GreenKidz YouTube Channel
Explore lesson inspirations: GreenKidz: Plastic & Recycling
Take action: activities for different roles
Explore the role-specific badges below designed to enhance your understanding and practice with video reporting about sustainability.
Young people: Can learn how to use technology in story telling by making a storyboard and short format video: “Plastic Detective Report video”. By interviewing someone or show a place that illustrates plastic use or waste, and sharing the short video.
Youth workers: Guide youth through the reporting process, use group discussions and examples to spark ideas and provide tech or storytelling support.
Youth organisations: Can Integrate this video activity into sustainability or media education programs, increasing access to digital storytelling tools to reach youth.
Suggested Follow-Up Activities
Organize a contest: Turn your video activity into a community-wide or neighborhood based contest. Invite youth to submit their best Plastic Detective Report—a short, creative video that highlights a real plastic problem and a smart solution. Encourage storytelling, humor, or local culture.
Turn your video into a podcast: Give your video report a second life as audio storytelling. Learners can use phone or a simple mic record a version of the video report as a podcast, add extra facts or interviews and reflect on your experience as a “Plastic Detective”. Using free tools to record and publish.
Expand to other Sustainability or Social topics: Encourages youth to apply their digital media skills to real-life challenges they care about, turning learning into leadership.
Claim open badge recognition
Upon completing the activities, participants can claim digital badges recognizing their competence in:
- Searching and evaluating digital content (DigComp 1.1)
- Environmental awareness (Digital Youth Work)
- Responsible Consumption (UN SDG 12)
- Youth storytelling and media creation (Media Literacy)
Who created this resource
This activity was developed by the Curaçao Innovation & Technology Institute (CITI) based on the lesson materials made available by GreenKidz Curaçao.
For over a decade, GreenKidz has empowered children and adults to take action for a more sustainable future. This activity supports their ambition to expand the use of digital tools to engage young people, amplify their voices, and inspire them to become critical thinkers, advocates and future leaders in sustainability.
