The ability to combat climate change begins with being able to reuse the waste generated to use it as raw material for other materials, reducing the consumption of natural resources. To achieve an adequate recycling process, all stakeholders must do their part. Individuals have the responsibility to recycle individually, and companies must commit to innovation, consuming fewer natural resources and utilizing recycled materials to promote their circularity. Another very important aspect is that the best way to generate change in society is through education, with concepts best embedded at an early age, preparing future adults for the challenges they will face.

Based on these premises, a Service-Learning project has been implemented as a methodology to align education with the Sustainable Development Goals and with the aim of raising awareness among students about the importance of efficient natural resource management. The project begins with students from the Escuela Técnica Superior of Edificación, who have worked on the responsible use of waste and its reuse, and then passed on this knowledge to students at lower levels. Since the problem affects the global landscape, the project has been carried out in parallel at the Pontificia Universidad Católica of Chile. The work developed by the university students will provide them, in addition to specific knowledge on the topic, with a social and applied dimension, which is not possible with other learning methodologies. Through this work, they have developed innovative materials that improve the construction solutions used in edification, fostering cooperation and social responsibility. Given the importance of the project, two leading companies in the sector (Mapei and HOLCIM) and eight professors, two of whom are from internationally renowned foreign universities, are participating.

The project has been carried out in phases. The first phase involves the university students' knowledge and development of the new materials, and the second phase involves conferences and workshops given to students at lower levels to raise awareness. The project concluded with an evaluation of the learning obtained and the objectives achieved, with the aim of proposing improvements for future editions.

The results obtained were very satisfactory, both technically and socially. The university students have been able to develop very good proposals for the application of recycled plastics in mortar and concrete, based on the search for information and the conferences given by the participating companies. They have been very motivated and participatory in carrying out the conferences and workshops, adapting their knowledge to the level of younger students. Furthermore, the younger students actively participated and made some of the applications conceived by the university students. This Service-Learning project achieved the objectives set, fostered communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, which are essential in any environment, and achieved responsible, technical, and ethical education. Furthermore, it was proven that it can be applied in different contexts, making it a highly suitable learning methodology for achieving active learning.

Keywords: Service-Learning, higher education, sustainable, recycled plastics, mortars.