C. Getting the Whole School Involved

Pupils investigate the range of waste packaging materials available for use in the school.

Resources required

A collection of commonly found waste packaging material, e.g. egg boxes, newspaper, plastic milk containers etc. These can be brought in by the teacher or collected by the pupils.

Procedure

Stage 1

Working in small groups or as a whole class discussion, pupils make a list of all the ways they can think of re-using waste packaging in the school.  An important question to ask is why is it important to re-use resources wherever possible?

Groups could visit other classes to examine recent activities in technology, art, science and other lessons to find out whether they were able or could re-use material. Their findings should be discussed.

Stage 2

Using the findings from their research, pupils should plan a whole school campaign to promote re-using waste packaging.  This might include:

• Producing posters for classrooms and corridors;
• Planning and delivering a school assembly;
• Talking to members of the teacher staff to raise their awareness of recycling;
• Creating a waste packaging collection point in the school.

Stage 3

Encourage the pupils to consider the difference between re-using and recycling.  The Ollie Recycles CD ROM and Website provides a range of information that will help pupils distinguish between the two. Important questions include:

• Why is it important to recycle?
• What materials can be recycled?
• How are they recycled?

A class or whole school survey can be undertaken to establish how many of the pupil's families use the local recycling facilities. The data can be displayed on charts.

A map of the local area could be displayed in a prominent position in the school to show where recycling collection points are located.

Invite a visitor from the local council into the school to talk about the provision for recycling in the local area.