Turning policy into practice
To ensure the recycling policy is accepted and put into practice include specific actions stating who is responsible for what and when.
Our Recycling Co-ordinator has done a wonderful job and put together an action plan with the children. We no longer talk about recycling, we just do it! Our environmental objectives are embedded in our school policy and everyone, staff and pupils alike, know what they have to do. We regularly review responsibilities, actions and progress in meetings and include them in the year’s curriculum plan for each class.
- Where possible, a knowledgeable and motivated member of staff should be accorded a specific role to oversee the aims of the recycling or environmental policy. Ideally, they should have a small budget and organise regular awareness-raising activities and events across the school.
- This designated member of staff can organise an action plan together with pupils or the eco group. Students should be allocated individual tasks with a clear timeframe.
- Make sure school staff, pupils and parents are aware of the policy – discuss it with the different audiences and put a copy on your noticeboards and website.
- A recycling policy is more likely to be endorsed and followed if it is backed up by the head teacher – or better still, led by them.
- New staff should receive a copy of the policy as part of their induction. Point out recycling bins and expected behaviours alongside the usual facilities and procedures.
- Regularly monitor and evaluate the policy and the recycling scheme to examine the school’s ongoing recycling performance (for example, through waste audits and walk-rounds).
The recycling policy should be updated to renew commitment amongst school staff and to show pupils that the policy is current and relevant to them.
-
Have a recycling point in every room
Don’t forget non-teaching areas like the office, staff room and kitchen