Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Did you know?

• Britain produces enough rubbish every day to fill Trafalgar Square to the top of Nelson's Column.

• We could recycle over half the rubbish we throw away into our dustbins. At the moment, only about 5% is recycled.

• On average, we each throw away about two trees worth of paper every year.

Through our Local Agenda 21 waste strategy, our aim is to minimise waste wherever possible and to reduce, re-use or re-claim it through recycling, composting or energy recovery.

Our young people are the waste producers of tomorrow and it is essential that we teach them about the effects of waste on our environment and lives. We need to encourage young people to help limit these effects by reducing, reusing and recycling. 

You can teach pupils on how to reduce, reuse and recycle waste using a teaching pack from one of the following organisations:

(Click on the logo)

Recycling collections for schools

We have tested high quality waste paper recycling collections from a number of schools in the Borough. At the moment we can't increase this service to other schools but we hope this will change in the near future. Please call the Recycling Hotline on 01483 445084 to register your schools interest in this scheme.

If you are a school already using the Schools High Quality Paper Recycling Scheme then please remember the following:

• Collect only unshredded, high quality white and photocopier paper.
• Tie clear sacks when they are full and put them into the green bin or into the designated area.
• Don't include cardboard, glued paper, coloured paper, file covers, carbon paper, glossy paper, paper clips and shredded paper.

If in doubt, leave it out!

Tips for reducing waste and reusing it around your school.

In the classroom

• Re-use envelopes

• Make use of double sided printing

• Re-use old paper for notes

• Try to avoid using disposable products

• Re-use old files and ring binders

• Recycle toner and ink cartridges

• Recycle fluorescent lighting tubes

• Have an ideas forum where you think up ideas for reusing common waste e.g. boxes, paper, packaging.

In the canteen

• Minimise packaging
• Use suppliers who have a green policy
• Compost food waste
• Recycle foil, cans, paper and glass
• Use milk bottles, not cartons 

In the staff room

• Use china mugs for tea and coffee

• Order milk from your doorstep milk delivery rather than plastic bottles
• Share newspapers and magazines