Recycling in Schools
Recycling banks
Did you know that it takes around 450 years for a plastic bottles to degrade?
Recycling banks are a great way to cut down on waste in schools, as well as helping the environment by getting the children interested in recycling. Oldham Council offers a service to collect paper and cardboard, and co-mingled materials i.e. plastic bottles, glass, and tins. Containers of various sizes are available and situated on school premises for the use of schools and school kitchens. Please call Jo Stanley on 0161 770 1198 for further information.
Remember - Every tonne of paper recycled saves 17 trees.
Composting
Keep in mind that the average person throws away 74kgs of organic waste a year, equivalent to 1077 banana skins!
A wormery or composter can be used for composting small amounts of green and food waste allowing children to see the way waste can be converted to useful products. Oldham Council has information on ‘How to build your own compost box’ and general composting advice’ on its Composting Tips page. Schools in Oldham can also purchase cut-price composter under a special scheme. For further information, advise, or to arrange a composting workshop for children please call Jo Stanley on 0161 770 1198.
Recycling for Charity or School Funds
What a lot of waste! In the UK alone it is estimated that more than 30 million empty ink cartridges are thrown away each year.
There are many organisations and charities that collect items, such as ink and toner cartridges, stamps, mobile phones, spectacles, clothes, toys and furniture for re-use or recycling and donate the proceeds to charity.
If you search on the Internet there are also companies/organisations that recycle items and reward schools with cash for collecting them, such as, e.g. recycool, or recycling appeal who collect ink cartridges. If you ask the local community to bring in items from home this can result in considerable extra funds.
A growing number of companies offer to recycle unwanted shoes and textiles for schools and provide a small payment, such as BCR (tel:0121 520 7586). You can find more information on the Textile Recycling Association website.
Schools can hold fairs where items can be sold or swapped can help children to think about the benefits of recycling and can add to school funds.
Have you thought? Many countries have a thriving second hand market for clothes and even damaged items can be turned into stuffing for mattresses and car seats.