EcoBall as a sport-based intervention for community engagement, behavioural change, and sustainable solutions to plastic pollution

Abstract

The problem of plastic waste pollution is acute on the global scale and requires innovative and participatory measures. The paper is a conceptual presentation of EcoBall, an ecological intervention model based on sport, which involves physical activity, community involvement, and sustainability education. The research is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Capital Theory to examine how EcoBall can be used as a transformative instrument to promote behavioural change and environmental stewardship. The paper applies both theoretical synthesis and conceptual modelling to establish the pathways through which EcoBall fosters sustainable practices, closing the divide between sport, education, and community-based action. The proposed model emphasizes the potential of EcoBall as a scaled, inclusive and flexible approach to grassroots environmental education and integration of the circular economy. Finally, EcoBall provides a scalable model that brings together sport, community engagement, and sustainability values to motivate people to do something about plastic pollution.