Waste Reduction at Home Waste Reduction at Work Waste Reduction at School Facts, Stats and Quotes Links Tips

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Schools are vital forums for educating young people and the community about the problems and solutions of solid waste management, i.e. “garbage”.

It is estimated that education facilities produce 120 kgs. of waste per student per school year.

Here are some ideas to reduce your waste at school…

Reduce paper use in the classroom.

Use both sides of a page. Do not to throw out paper because of one or two mistakes.

Use double-sided copying whenever possible.

Reducing paper use will have more significant environmental impact than recycling since it preserves energy and trees while encouraging a conservation attitude.

Use the back side of waste paper to print draft documents or for informal notes.

Use refillables. Look for pens and pencils that can be refilled. Are there other school supplies that are more environmentally friendly?

Pack a no-waste lunch.

Students are in class for approximately 200 days/year. That could mean that each student could throw out 200 paper bags, 200 “baggies” for both sandwiches and cookies, 200 beverage containers and 200 apple cores, banana peels etc.

Compost apple cores, banana peels and other raw fruit and vegetables.

Build a outdoor compost

Start a worm compost (vermicomposting)

Start or join an environmental club at school, get informed, and think of things that you can do to make a difference.

Talk with the manager of the canteen. Are there acceptable substitutes for the drinks and snacks that are overpackaged and not recyclable?

Re-use a small piece of waste paper to attach notes with a paper clip, instead of buying new pads or “post-its”. Recycle after use.

Do a garbage audit.

Have a Christmas bazaar with reusable tickets and handmade goods.

Place all parent memos in one reusable envelope on a specific day to reduce the loss of mail and show the amounts of take home paper.

Reuse old paper to make environmental posters.

For other ideas, click here

Share your waste reduction idea. Email neat@telus.net