5 easy tips for greener education
Children are the future, so the saying goes.
And so education has a key part to play in the world of tomorrow.
If we want that world to last, looking after the environment is imperative.
And so schools and universities have a duty to reduce their carbon footprint.
Beyond that, they also have an opportunity.
They can help instill environmental values in the next generation.
With that in mind, here are our top tips to make your educational establishment a green leader.
Turn recycling into crafting
Finding ways to make something useful out of discarded materials can be fun and inspiring, as well as helping reduce your waste. The internet is a great resource detailing what the most useful things to collect are and how they can be repurposed.
Whether it’s gathering cardboard for art and theatre projects or turning toilet rolls into bird feeders, there are plenty of ways to recycle in a way that can breathe new life into objects.
Consider coordinating with specific departments or creating a network of donation bins to ensure you gather the right materials for whatever you have planned.
Source sustainable IT
While tech is an essential part of any modern school, buying new equipment can cost a lot in terms of both cash and carbon. A new laptop is estimated to have an equivalent footprint of over 300 kg of CO2.
By choosing repurposed laptops instead, schools can reduce their carbon emissions and reduce waste, all while setting a great example to their students.
There is a growing movement of trusted companies providing refurbished IT equipment. These machines often offer comparable performance without the same upfront costs.
Start a school garden rota
Healthy eating and a move away from ultra processed foods is another topic that has been far more visible in recent years. One way to combine these concerns with environmental responsibility is to create a school garden.
Not only does it offer access to fresh fruit and vegetables grown without commercial pesticides and packaging, but it’s the perfect cornerstone for teaching them about food production and healthier choices.
Of course, it also has the advantage of generating more sustainable food than buying in produce from elsewhere. Looking after a garden can be a significant time commitment, so assigning volunteer shifts using a tool like Findmyshift is a great way to organise this.
Naturally, using an intelligent online shift scheduler also eliminates the need for paper rotas, saving trees in the process.
Embrace energy efficiency
There are so many little ways to make a difference that the majority of schools and universities will be able to identify plenty of quick wins that can reduce their energy use.
Turning off lights and machines at the end of the day is always an easy place to start. You could even make this a student responsibility and reward those who complete it most regularly.
Beyond day to day activities, choosing to use sustainable materials, energy efficient lightbulbs, and effective insulation, schools can reduce wasted energy and lower bills as well.
Transform transport
Your educational establishment’s environmental impact on its students can begin before they even arrive for the day. By encouraging more sustainable ways to get to you like walking, cycling, or taking public transport instead of driving, you can effect serious change.
For students who aren’t ready to make their own way to school, schemes like the Walking Bus are a perfect way to encourage sustainability without any safety concerns. As a bonus, children will get more exercise each day, which can lead to improved focus and behaviour.
With so many ways to make your school or university greener, the future can still be bright for the next generation of learners.