General actions for aN ECO-FRIENDLY school year

Even before the start of the school year, there are practical steps which families can adopt when planning for a more sustainable outlook. Many of these have the added advantage of saving money, too!

• RULE OF THUMB: Use what you have! Before purchasing new items, check your inventory of clothing and supplies to avoid unnecessary purchases.

• TRANSPORT
  Reconsider your transport to school. Could you walk, bike, take public transport or carpool?

• FASHION
  You are what you wear. Lead by example and inspire others: 

• Explore Second Hand →/pre-loved clothing options 

• or Upcycle →  existing outfits for those memorable “Back to School” photos. This allows for more self-expression and customisation of items.

• When purchasing new items, opt for Sustainable Textile Fibres →, such as natural fibres, and check out our guide on Sustainable Fashion Certifications → 

• FOOD
  When making packed lunches, use Sustainable Food Packaging →, for example, beeswax wrappers, reusable bottles and food containers.
  Find many more tips in our manual entry on Sustainable Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic →. 

THE ECO-CONSCIOUS classroom

From the first day back, there are many actions which students and their teachers can take as part of building their class community that will also have an immediate and positive impact on sustainability in the classroom.
Here are some ideas to help you get started:

• Encourage students to separate waste and recycle paper and plastic wherever possible. Collect empty ink cartridges or smartphones for recycling in class.

• Elect an energy-responsible for your class who saves electricity by turning off lights, computers, and projectors when not in use and regulating the heating.

• Ask for donations of plants to help foster a connection to nature and ask student volunteers to take responsibility for their care.

• Involve conservancy/ awareness action in lessons. 

• Biology class could thematise biodiversity, soil and planting activity. 

• Art and Crafts class could consider building insect hotels, hedgehog houses, upcycle fashion,  etc.

Many educators worldwide have implemented energy-efficient and waste-wise practices in their learning spaces, which could quickly be adopted and adapted to significant effect.

the ECO-CONSCIOUS corridor

Young people are often the most significant source of inspiration and motivation for one another. Once they have taken successful action on a trim classroom level, their enthusiasm for adopting sustainable practices will spark curiosity in their peers and teachers around the school, and this can lead to broader initiatives being implemented around the broader learning environment. These ideas include:

• Establish an Eco-Council of representatives from each class to share ideas and resources for implementing environmentally sound practices across the school through a programme such as the one from Eco Schools. 

• Instal a school garden that students can cultivate and take care of. Having such a valuable resource on site will create opportunities for hands-on learning in Science or Food Technology and bring topics such as food provenance and bio-diversity to life.

• Review school policies around ordering resources and adjusting the school infrastructure to adopt more environmentally conscious approaches. These could include 

• switching lighting options to LED lights

• and developing relationships with local food producers and suppliers to provide local and seasonal meals.

• Implement a veggie day or make one of the daily meals a veggie meal.

• Excursions make learning more exciting. Why not visit an energy company, an organic farm or a recycling yard!?  Ask about tours for schools.

• Initiate events to gain attention for sustainability and multiply fascination and engagement. Here are some ideas:  

• Organise annual school competitions: e.g. an award for multiple sustainable school actions

• Implement quarterly fasting slots, e.g. plastic fasting, mobile phone fasting, etc.

• Run fundraising campaigns, e.g. charity runs, collection weeks, etc. 

THE ECO-FRIENDLY (SCHOOL) community

As awareness of sustainable practices and the desire to take action grows in the school community, this would be the moment to open the call for action to the broader community. 

• The Parent Association provides a pool of volunteers passionate about sustainability and willing to support the school’s vision. Take the association’s free, printable step-by-step guide for parents interested in establishing a “Sustainability Committee”.

• Local businesses could also support initiatives in schools by providing sponsorship and resources. Many organisations have a volunteer or outreach team that seeks opportunities to collaborate with local groups. Networking can provide access to funding and raise awareness of the actions being taken locally, inspiring others to reflect on what they can do to embrace a more sustainable outlook.

As you can see, from small-scale recycling initiatives to whole school projects such as creating a school garden, to drawing on the passion and expertise of educators, parents and the wider community, everyone can play a valuable role in taking action to support schools in strengthening their sustainability goals this academic year.

Learn more

Check our sources: Bibliography →