In 2018, the UK alone generated 222 million tons of rubbish! Tackling waste is a widescale issue, with over 14 million tonnes being sent to landfill in 2021. From these landfills, harmful chemicals, and waste particles leak into surrounding soils and water streams, polluting our waterways; and releasing methane and carbon dioxide into our atmosphere – contributing to the climate crisis.
There are over 30,000 schools in the UK, meaning teachers, governors, leaders, and students can all play their part in reducing waste. From day-to-day staff operations to student learning, to leadership procurement policies, managing waste can be targeted across the whole school. Identifying specific waste streams will not always be obvious and will be unique to each school and its students. Stationery, books, food packaging and food waste will occur in every school. By addressing waste issues and moving towards a circular economy, your school can improve its impact on our planet as well as reduce costs on your school budgets.
What is the Circular Economy?
The concept of a circular economy is an environmentally mindful approach to waste management. It focuses on designing and making items that will last a long time, making products that can be taken apart and repaired, and ensuring that all waste products can be recycled or re-used in some way. This will keep materials being used for as long as possible and replaces our current, linear approach of ‘Take (materials from the ground), Make (a product), Waste (throw away)’.
The Circular Approach – Practical Steps for Schools
1. Conduct a waste audit: Schools can conduct a waste audit to identify and reduce specific waste streams. Involve your students in your waste reduction initiatives, through interactive activities such as, sustainable swaps and recycling relays, which demonstrate recycling in action and what items you could swap with reusable alternatives. Access the free resources to discover more. Student involvement is vital for these steps to work, so it’s important to align waste reduction with curriculum goals.
2. Food waste surveys: There are food waste challenges within schools, and awareness of this can be raised among both students and staff. Not only is this important for sustainable food systems but it also reduces costs. You could conduct plate waste surveys and even explore alternative disposal methods such as composting for your very own school garden. For more information on reducing food waste and the carbon footprint of your school canteen, check out our Cool Food Pro project. Members only: We have resources to help you with food waste surveys.
3. Review procurement policies: Schools are urged to review their procurement policies, advocating for sustainable practices and the purchase of second-hand materials, where possible. It is important to align procurement with the principles of a circular economy. For example, you could work towards becoming a plastic-free school. Members only: We have resources to help you with this transition to a single use plastic free school, including an understanding waste lesson and the truth about plastic waste lesson.
4. Litter pick: Organise a litter picking event for your school, which can include teachers, governors, parents, and students, as well as bringing your local community together. Access the Litter Picking Risk Assessment to get started.
5. Create a student-led Green Team to tackle waste: If your school doesn’t already have a Green Team, this could be the perfect way to tackle issues such as waste within the school. Getting students involved will give leaders an idea of what is working and what needs to change for systems to work better. They can often tell us about areas of concern which as adults we have not even considered or have been blind to. Members only: Members can access the Waste From Plates Audit Tool.
6. Identify key areas for recycling bins: This could be a task that the Green Team within your school can act on, including collecting hard-to-recycle items and recycling through Terracycle.
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Useful Dates for your Diary for Tackling Waste
There are annual Zero Waste & Sustainable Living days coming up this year which could link in with your school’s efforts to be more mindful and reduce waste. These include:
Food Waste Action Week – Monday 4th March-Sunday 10th March 2024
Global Recycling Day – Monday 18th March 2024
World Water Day – Friday 22nd March 2024
Great British Spring Clean – Monday 25th March 2024
Fashion Revolution Week – Monday 22nd April-Sunday 28th April 2024
Stop Food Waste Day – Wednesday 24th April 2024
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Non-members: Access our free resources to get a glimpse at what is on offer for our members. Visit our membership page to find out how to gain full access to the Climate Education website including our Interactive Action Plan Tool.
Climate Education Member Benefits
Complete a waste audit within your school – Access the Climate Education Waste Audit resource, and don’t forget to add this to your action plan.
Why not use one of the national days above to inspire your school to get involved with better waste management? For example, Food Waste Action Week could include a food waste audit and setting goals to reduce food waste going forward – this can be included in your Action Plan where you can monitor progress.
You can use the Library of Resources included in your Climate Education membership to explore the Zero Waste & Sustainable Living theme.
By embracing a circular economy, schools can contribute to environmental sustainability, reduce costs, and involve students in responsible waste management practices. If your school needs further support, please reach out to the Climate Education team at hello@climateeducation.co.uk.
