Reduce School Waste for Global Recycling Day

To mark Global Recycling Day (March 18), online learning provider High Speed Training is highlighting the transformative power of classrooms and schools in the fight against climate change. While schools are hubs of innovation, they are also significant contributors to waste, much of which can be diverted from landfills with simple changes.

Dr. Richard Anderson, Learning Experience Director at High Speed Training says: “We urge schools to look beyond the immediate environmental benefits and consider the long-term impact. By integrating recycling into the school day, educators help children form lifelong habits that turn them into conscientious, environmentally aware adults.

“The education sector has a profound opportunity to lead by example. When schools embrace waste reduction, they don’t just lower their carbon footprint; they improve their reputation with parents and can even see significant savings in their over-stretched budgets”

Targeting the Main Contributors

To make the most impact, High Speed Training identifies four key areas where schools can cut down:

• Paper: This is the primary waste type for the sector. Primary school students create around 45kg of paper waste per year, while secondary school students produce around 22kg.
• Food: Primary schools in England generate 55,408 tonnes of food waste annually, while secondary schools contribute 24,974 tonnes. Altogether, this amounts to 80,382 tonnes of food waste produced by schools across England each year.
• Plastic: From milk carton straws to sandwich bags, single-use plastic remains a hurdle. High Speed Training encourages canteens to swap sachets for bulk dispensers and promote reusable bottles.
• Electronics: Under the WEEE Regulations 2013, items like printers and monitors must be disposed of correctly. High Speed Training notes that ink cartridges can take 1,000 years to decay if they end up in a landfill.

Empowering the Workforce

Despite the clear need for action, there is a gap between students’ desires and teachers’ confidence. Teach the Future reports that 68% of students want to learn more about the environment, yet 75% of teachers feel they haven’t received adequate training to teach climate change effectively.

To bridge this gap, High Speed Training recommends:

1. Student Involvement: Encouraging pupils to design their own recycling labels and posters to increase engagement.
2. Waste Audits: Checking what is being thrown away before starting a composting scheme.
3. Staff Training: Ensuring teachers feel equipped with the facts to lead environmental discussions confidently.

Dr Anderson concludes: “Global Recycling Day serves as a vital reminder that our resources are finite, but our capacity for change is not. Schools are the heart of our communities. By empowering teachers and students with the right knowledge today, we aren’t just managing waste; we are cultivating a mindset of sustainability that pupils will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

For more tips and in-depth guidance, visit High Speed Training Hub, or our article: Recycling in Schools: How Can We Reduce Waste?