Recycling & school achievement

Hagbourne Primary School started their first recycling initiatives 17 years ago with the aim of reducing their waste and diverting as much waste as possible from landfill sites. Over the years their recycling efforts have contributed to numerous awards (link to ‘Contribution to school achievement’ in ‘Start recycling’ section). for the school and they have widened the scope of environmental initiatives they take part in.

At the outset, the school council decided they had a responsibility to start recycling, and devised strategies to separate and collect materials at school. The school council met regularly to develop an action plan, refine the process and resolve any issues. They promoted the scheme through school assemblies, and recycling is now firmly embedded in the school's policy. The pupils set up an Eco Committee which meets once a week to discuss progress and new ideas around sustainability. The children encourage each other and staff to recycle and ensure that compost bins, for example, are rotated when full. Staff input is minimal, the pupils have ownership of the scheme.

The school achieved its first Eco-Schools award in 1998 and has held a Green Flag award since 2005. Hagbourne is one of the top sustainability schools in England and since introducing recycling they have also installed a wind turbine and solar panels, a sensory garden, pond, energy meter, taken part in projects nationally and internationally, hosted training sessions, given tours and helped other schools. Recycling has been recognised as a vital step in making the school more sustainable overall and the children have learned the importance of recycling at school, at home and in the community.

Materials recycled:
• Paper, cardboard, plastic, steel, aluminium, glass,
• Textiles and shoes, ink cartridges, mobile phones and stamps. • Organic waste
Containers used:
Paper bins in every classroom and office. Other containers vary according to the material.
Who collects your school’s recycling?
• Paper, cardboard, plastic, steel, glass – Grundons –local waste management company
• Aluminuim – sold via Cash for Cans
• Organic waste – composted by the school on site
• Textiles and shoes, ink cartridges, mobile phones and stamps – collected for charity
Frequency of collection:
Fortnightly
Date/year the recycling scheme was introduced:
some aspects since 1991

• If recycling is part of the school ethos, students are more likely to develop good environmental behaviour and become responsible citizens – if a four year old can recycle, there is no excuse for anyone else not to!