Litter accumulates quickly, but a change in mentality takes time. That's why 17 Hamse schools and youth groups annually commit to Operatie Proper, a Mooimakers project focused on waste prevention, correct sorting, and a clean living environment. During the 2025-2026 school year, children and young people worked on various actions to prevent litter and promote responsible waste management.
Participating schools and youth groups used their own methods to promote a clean living environment. Through themed games, waste-related assignments, and role-playing, children and young people learned to identify, prevent, and correctly sort waste. Some groups took charge of a neighborhood or square, organizing regular clean-up actions, while others implemented colorful sorting systems, educational videos, or theatrical performances about plastic pollution and litter.
By combining games, theater, education, and concrete neighborhood actions, children and young people grow into ambassadors for a clean municipality. The local government actively supports participants with materials and educational guidance, enabling them to learn about waste prevention and the importance of a tidy environment in an accessible way.
“"Learning to sort correctly, prevent waste, and respect public spaces is best done from a young age. That's why Operatie Proper is so valuable. Children and young people learn about the consequences of litter and illegal dumping for their environment and often take that message home."
Following an evaluation of the action plans by Mooimakers, 11 out of the 17 participating schools and youth groups received a recognition award of 8,350.00 euros for their commitment throughout the 2025-2026 school year.
