Start Recycling at School

What’s in your bin?

Paper possibilities:

Make a simple start. All schools produce paper and card waste and there are easy steps to reducing that waste:

  • use both sides of the paper;
  • set up a separate bin for paper waste in the class room; and 
  • encourage your school to buy recycled paper products.

Cash for cans:

Aluminium cansAluminium is an amazing, versatile metal – which means it’s really valuable and can be recycled easily:

  • set up a separate collection bin for drinks cans;
  • Find out where your nearest cash for cans centre is using www.cashforcans.co.uk; and
  • make money for your school.

Printer cartridges and mobile phones:

There are many schemes out there that will collect old cartridges and phones and actually give you money in return or donate funds raised to charity. The RecyCool programme is a great scheme for schools.

Waste-free lunch challenge:

  • Minimal waste lunchboxA large percentage of the waste schools produce comes from all the lunch that gets munched!
  • Start the challenge to create as little rubbish from your lunch as possible.
  • Whoever makes the least waste is the winner!

Winning Potential:

The secret is to go for stuff that’s RE-USABLE or RECYCLABLE:

  • avoid taking your lunch to school in a plastic bag. Go for a re-usable airtight container – a lunchbox or an old ice cream tub; 
  • Kids at Meltham schooltake a flask or screw-top plastic bottle you can use again. Otherwise, choose an aluminium can or glass bottle that can be recycled; 
  • don’t wrap food in clingfilm. Go for aluminium foil, which can be recycled when you’ve finished with it; and 
  • fruit and veg are really good for you – and the leftovers can be composted at school or at home.

Don’t forget to make the prize a big incentive for people to take part - maybe some book vouchers or some cool recycled stationary from Remarkable.  Visit RecycleZone to find out more about setting up a waste-free lunch challenge.

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