Have you been considering how your school can reduce its plastic use and waste? Schools need to try and cut down on plastic to lessen their environmental impact and encourage a sustainable future for children.
Education
One of the most impactful ways schools can make a difference is by educating younger generations about good habits, including reducing plastic waste. You can teach students about the harmful effects of plastic and actionable ways they can avoid its use throughout their daily lives. By doing so, you will not reduce the number of single-use plastic items in school but will hopefully set them up with great habits for the future!
Choose Plastic-Free Suppliers
Suppliers are often a major source of plastic waste for schools. Whether it’s plastic packaging or products, it adds up. Schools can request plastic-free packaging from suppliers, switch to alternative materials like wood, or seek out suppliers already offering plastic-free deliveries. While this might seem challenging it is possible, Damer’s First School in Dorset requested that their fruit and veg supplier deliver without any plastic. After some perseverance, the supplier switched to plastic-free deliveries and thanks to its success are now looking to roll it out to other schools they supply.
Rethink Catering Options
Another major contributor to plastic waste is likely to be your school catering. Many food products come in plastic to help them remain fresh for longer or store better in fridges and freezers. Rethinking your catering can involve replacing single-use plastics with other materials. For example, you could look to replace single-serve packaging with bulk containers that can be served on an individual basis, such as sauce sachets for large tubs or bottles that can be pumped, or switching yoghurt pots for larger containers that can be served freshly into bowls.
More Water Bottle Filling Stations And Water Fountains
Encouraging the use of refillable water bottles and providing accessible water stations can significantly reduce plastic usage. Eliminating disposable cups at filling stations not only cuts down on waste but also encourages healthier drinking habits, as children will have their water bottles with them throughout the day rather than going to use a cup each time.
Organise A Clean-Up
Plastic waste doesn’t just affect your school, but also the surrounding environment. A great way to get everyone involved and to generate real-world awareness of the plastic problem is to organise a school clean up, where your students can go out and clear up a heavily littered area. This hands-on approach not only contributes to cleaner surroundings but also educates students about the importance of waste reduction and recycling.
Your school can play an essential role in reducing plastic waste year-round. While these five tips are a good starting point, there are many more ways to minimise plastic use within your school.
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