Reducing & Reusing & Recycling

Ideas for getting started: 

• Talk about waste in class and importance of reducing, reusing and recycling  
• Identify different sorts of school waste and sort it into special bins for recycling: paper, plastics, cans, tetra paks, e-Waste, food scraps 
• Use reusable containers for food and drinks. Avoid single use wrappers plastic bottles and plastic bags. 
• Use both sides of paper. 
• Recycle whenever possible: paper, plastics, batteries, food scraps.
• Students can measure how much waste has been recycled in display their findings in graphs and charts. (See Conducting a School Waste Audit module)
• Recycling programs can be extended to include waste from the wider community.

• Select monitors in the school to ensure everyone in the school community is trying to reduce waste. The school may have leaders or a team of students who lead waste management within the school and also reach out to the school community in the playground, visiting classes, at assemblies or making videos to upload for the school website. 
• The student leaders also communicate what is happening using noticeboard and newsletters. Display photos and graphs to show progress of the projects to the school community.

Link to stories that teach about sustainability:

(Reducing, Reusing, Recycling) 

School Level: Primary and lower Secondary

Examples in schools around the world

The following list of schools features examples of sustainability practices which are part of school programs around the world.

Generally, these schools aim to achieve a Whole School Approach; the school community integrating sustainability into their daily programs and school life.

These examples highlight some of the outstanding but achievable practices. Projects do not have to be on a large scale to be effective.  

Australia: Camdenville Public School

The school collaborates with the local community garden to assist in a food waste reduction program, called “Food Scrap Friday”. 

India: ASN Secondary Public School

Students monitor and record waste consumption at their school and outline waste management plans for households. 

United Kingdom: St Mary's School

Students take old clothes and redesign them into new garments. These new clothes are exhibited in fashion (Trashion) shows.

Guatemala: Caj Sya’ School

The Story of Slidasaurus Rex, dinosaur playground made of recycled materials. 

Ghana: “Nationwide Waste Education Campaign”

Recycle Up Ghana’s “Nationwide Waste Education Campaign” commenced in 18 partner schools across three regions of Ghana.

Thailand: Waste-Free Community

The students learnt in class about waste management and then practiced their new knowledge at school.

India: Ashkar School

Students and their families bring plastic waste to school which is then used to in a recycling program where it is turning into eco-bricks.

India: Nand Vidya Niketan School

This school is part of the Eco-school network. Students use recycled bottles to make art objects.

FKiribati: Temwanoku Primary School & Abaunamou Primary School

Their “Clean School Program” and “Plastic Free Schools Initiative” is reducing the use of plastic bags and ice bags (used for ice blocks) in schools by adopting the use of reusable food containers and utensils.

Thailand: Bangkok Patana School

The students are educating the school community about appropriate waste disposable and have instituted a recycling bin system. Students also participate in beach clean ups, removing large amounts of plastic from the shore and reefs.

Indonesia: Schools in the Banda Islands

Since 2012, as part of a municipal waste management program, school students lead the community by not using single use cups, plates and cutlery.

Australia: St Therese School

Students are encouraged to bring their lunch to school in reusable containers, not disposable wrappers. They have a ”Nude Food Day” every Friday when students bring food completely wrapper free.