Purchasing and waste
By 2020 the government would like all schools to be models of resource efficiency by using low impact goods from local suppliers that minimise (or eliminate) packaging and that are produced with high environmental and ethical standards, and by recycling, repairing and reusing as much as possible.
Our society generates an enormous amount of waste, the majority of which is just thrown away. Waste, and the culture that encourages it, can be tackled through sustainable consumption and a philosophy of “reduce, reuse and recycle”. As well as reducing costs, this approach can support markets for ethical goods and services and provide an interesting focus for learning.
Curriculum
Schools can use the curriculum to cultivate the knowledge, values and skills needed to address sustainable consumption and waste issues, and reinforce this through positive activities in the school and in the local area.
Campus
Schools can review their purchasing and waste choices in order to reduce whole-life costs, support the local economy, and establish policies for reducing, recycling, repairing and reusing as much as possible.
Community
Schools can use their communications, services, contracts and partnerships to promote awareness of sustainable consumption and waste minimisation among their stakeholders.
