Keeping it going

Keep it going

A designated member of staff who is responsible for your recycling scheme is vital to keep the momentum going. Their role is to monitor and improve the scheme, often with the help of an eco group, and oversee people and activities across the rest of the school.

We have a dedicated team of recycling monitors and each year we try to add something new, like printer cartridge or mobile phone recycling. We show other schools around to show them what can be done. It makes everyone in our school even more keen to recycle more!

(Elliott, eco group member,
Hagbourne Primary School)

Liaising with the recycling monitors, cleaners and site manager/caretaker will help monitor how often your recyclables need collecting. It will give you an understanding of how much your school recycles and whether recycling is increasing or dropping off.

  • If recycling participation is dropping, you may want to focus on raising awareness:
  • Hold meetings and training sessions for staff.
  • Organise recycling events, or make recycling a key part of other school events.
  • Incorporate recycling into lessons – why not try the activity lesson plans for inspiration.
  • Reward and praise recycling champions.
  • Join national awards and competitions.  This promotes recycling nationally and keeps up motivation within your school.
  • Liaise with the local press to share your success.

Incorporating recycling into the school policy is also an important way to maintain progress. For further information see including recycling in your school policy.

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KEEP IT GOING

Top tips

  1. Have a recycling point in every room

    Don’t forget non-teaching areas like the office, staff room and kitchen

  2. Put rubbish bins and recycling points together

    This makes it as easy to recycle as it is to throw something away

  3. Keep people informed

    Make sure everyone knows what can be recycled at school and why it is important to recycle

  4. Label recycling points and waste bins clearly

    This will help avoid the wrong things being put in the wrong bin

  5. Set up a rota

    Set up a rota for emptying the recycling point

  6. Monitor your recycling scheme

    Watch out for any decline in recycling levels. For example, you could keep a record of how full your external recycling bin is each week.

  7. Have regular recycling reports

    Report at assemblies and display amounts of recycling collected on a notice board to keep everyone informed and motivated.

  8. Motivate teachers to lead by example

    Recycle as much as possible and encourage pupils to get involved.

  9. Involve cleaning and support staff

    Ensure cleaning and support staff are informed of changes which affect them and let them know how important their role is.

  10. Spread your success

    Tell other people about successes, especially parents and the local press and praise all the teams involved