On a bright 21 March 2025, EXCEL4MED partners Johan Zammit (Malta Enterprise / Malta Life Sciences Park) and Dorian Galea (Mgarr Farms) swapped boardrooms and research labs for a lively classroom at Żejtun Primary School B.

Their mission? To introduce Year 6 pupils to the exciting world of food waste valorisation through the EXCEL4MED project.

Starting the day talking about orange peel

It all began with a simple question: What happens to the peel of an orange after we eat it?
From that point on, the pupils were hooked.

Through interactive discussions and engaging examples, our partners explained how everyday food waste, like citrus peel, is often discarded or used as animal feed, yet has the potential to be transformed into valuable resources using green technologies.

The heart of the visit revolved around a powerful message: “Turning Trash into Treasure”.

EXCEL4MED is helping shift the mindset around waste, showing how what we throw away can become something new and useful.

From nutrient-rich extracts to natural ingredients, our project is exploring ways to transform fruit industry side-streams into assets for a more sustainable Mediterranean food system.

A new generation of environmental champions

What made this visit truly special was the enthusiasm of the students. Their curious questions and eager participation made it clear: they understand the importance of sustainability. In fact, as our partner Johan said: “They, unlike many adults, get the concept of circular economy”.

These young learners showed a natural interest in how science, innovation and circular thinking can help solve global challenges. It was a moment of mutual inspiration, both for the pupils and for our team.

A huge thank you to Żejtun Primary B for the warm welcome and to the pupils for their brilliant energy.

We left with full hearts and wide smiles, proud to have sparked curiosity and planted a seed of awareness!