Waste Audit
This activity can be used to carry out an initial audit of your school’s waste, or a follow-up audit to help monitor the progress of your school’s recycling efforts.
It involves pupils working together to sort, weigh and measure the different types of waste produced in different areas of their school. They will analyse the data and use it to create an action plan.
Download the lesson plan
Waste audit (pdf and word downloads)
Curriculum links
Click on the Key Stages below to find out the curriculum links for this lesson.
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Key Stage 1
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Cross Curricular
- Planning and organising;
- Sorting;
- Group work and co-operation;
- Education for Sustainable Development;
- Sustainable Schools – Doorway 4: Purchasing and Waste.
Subject QCA National Curriculum Maths - Ma2 Number and algebra – Using and applying number (1)
- Ma3 Shape, space and measures – Using appropriate mathematical equipment when solving problems involving measures or measurement (1b); estimating, measuring and weighing objects and using simple measuring instruments (4c)
- Breadth of study – Using mathematical ideas in practical activities (1b); measuring in a range of practical contexts (1d); drawing inferences from data in practical activities (1e)
Science Unit 1C: Sorting and using materials - Sc1 Scientific Enquiry – Collecting evidence when trying to answer a question (1); following simple instructions to control risk (2e); making simple comparisons (2h)
- Sc2 Life processes and living things – Caring for the environment (5c)
- Sc3 Materials and their properties – Grouping materials (1)
- Breadth of study – Working in a range of domestic and environmental contexts (1); Health and safety (2b)
Citizenship - Preparing to take an active role as citizens (2)
- Taking and sharing responsibility (5a)
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Key Stage 2
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Cross Curricular
- Planning and organising;
- Sorting;
- Group work and co-operation;
- Education for Sustainable Development;
- Sustainable Schools – Doorway 4: Purchasing and Waste.
Subject QCA National Curriculum Maths - Ma2 Number and algebra – Using and applying number (1); calculations relating to weight and volume (3); solving numerical problems (4)
- Ma3 Shape, space and measures – Understanding measures (4a)
- Ma4 Handling data – Using data handling skills when solving problems in other areas of the curriculum (1a); organising and presenting findings (1f); drawing conclusions from statistics (2f)
- Breadth of study – Applying measuring skills in a range of contexts (1d); drawing inferences from data in practical activities (1e); using mathematics in work in other subjects (1h)
Science Unit 3C: Characteristics of materials
Unit 5_6H: Enquiry in environmental and technological contexts- Sc1 Scientific enquiry – Using evidence from observation and measurement (1b)
- Sc3 Materials and their properties – Comparing everyday materials on the basis of their properties (1a)
- Breadth of study – Working in a range of domestic and environmental contexts (1); Health and safety (2b)
Citizenship - Preparing to play an active role as citizens (2)
- Taking responsibility (5a)
- Participating (5c)
- Making real choices and decisions (5d)
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Key Stage 3
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Cross Curricular
- Planning and organising;
- Group work and co-operation;
- Education for Sustainable Development;
- Sustainable Schools – Doorway 4: Purchasing and Waste.
Subject QCA National Curriculum Maths - Ma2 Number and algebra – Using and applying number (1); understanding percentages (2e); calculations related to weight and volume (3)
- Ma3 Shape, space and measures – Using appropriate measuring instruments to weigh waste collected (4a)
- Ma4 Handling data – Using and applying data handling (1); specifying the problem and planning (2); collecting data (3); processing and representing data (4); interpreting and discussing results (5)
- Breadth of study – Drawing inferences from data in a practical context to make informed decisions (1f)
Science - Sc1 Scientific enquiry – Investigative skills (2)
- Sc2 – Life processing and living things – Ways in which living things and the environment can be protected and the importance of sustainable development (5a)
- Breadth of study – Working in a range of domestic and environmental contexts (1); Health and safety (2b)
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Key Stage 4
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Cross Curricular
- Planning and organising;
- Group work and co-operation;
- Education for Sustainable Development;
- Sustainable Schools – Doorway 4: Purchasing and Waste.
Subject QCA National Curriculum Maths - Ma2 Number and algebra – Using and applying number (1); understanding and using percentages (2e); calculations related to weight and volume (3)
- Ma3 Shape, space and measures – Using and applying measures (1)
- Ma4 Handling data – Using and applying data handling (1); specifying the problem and planning (2); collecting data (3); Processing and representing data (4); interpreting and discussing results (5)
- Breadth of study – Solving problems drawn from real-life contexts (1b); drawing inferences from data in practical contexts and using these to make informed decisions (1f)
Science - Sc1 Scientific enquiry – Investigative skills (2)
- Sc2 Life processes and living things – The importance of sustainable development (4c)
- Breadth of study – Working in a range of domestic and environmental contexts (1); Health and safety (2)
Citizenship - Issues and challenges of global interdependence and responsibility, including sustainable development (1j)
- Developing skills of participation and responsible action (3)
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