Stage 3 Be Plastic Clever.
The Green team with the help of the Geography department and other staff responded to their increased awareness of plastic waste and have put in place several initiatives in the Academy. Below are some of the posters which have been put up in the Academy to demonstrate what has already been achieved.
The first initiative launched by the Green team was recycling bins in every classroom. This included plastic, paper and metal which can all be recycled and is collected by students every Friday and then taken to the special white recycling bins near the gate. The students measure and record the amount collected in each room. Additional terracycling bins have been provided less easily recycled items such as crisp, biscuit and chocolate wrappers.
The second initiative was to provide compostable cups at parents/carer’s evenings etc to eradicate the use of plastic/polystyrene cups. This was followed by the introduction of wooden cutlery in the Lime Lounge. Students are actively encouraged by the Academy to buy a reusable water bottle for lessons.
At Christmas students suggested that we stop using plastic trees around the Academy. A local garden centre donated two trees and we have used real trees again this year.
To encourage people to stop using single use plastic the Green Team chose a design for a reusable travel mugs which have been sold to staff, students and parents/carers. The money raised is going towards other Eco-initiatives in the Academy.
In order to continue our efforts to raise awareness of plastic waste issues, some of students have written letters to local MPs explaining what they have been doing and asking what else is being done in their local area to reduce plastic waste and encourage recycling.
We are very proud that the Green Team have been recognised as best recycling school in Medway and Overall recycling champions for Kent and Medway. All of this great news and the various initiatives have been shared on the Academy media platforms.
We are grateful that our Lime Lounge staff have also responded to discussions with staff and students and continued to bring in new plastic free alternatives. This means that products bought are using less single use plastic and more organic and compostable materials.
As of this academic year the Geography department has ordered and will be trialling reduced plastic board pens. There is also a used pen collection point in the staff workroom which are then taken to Ryman’s stationers for pen recycling.
We hope to do many more projects and initiatives and would like to work with other schools in the area.