The Green Council conducted a waste audit that found the school was doing well recycling some materials like paper and fruit waste, but could improve recycling of other items like cardboard, plastic bottles, and glass. They found recyclable materials, like glass jars and plastic bottles, in the staff room bins. In response, recycling boxes and compost bins will be added to the staff room. The Council also found the school used over 40,000 sheets of paper in one month and set targets to reduce paper usage by 25% through alternatives to copying. Respect tokens will be given to those seen showing respect for the environment through actions like recycling and turning off lights.

1. Green Council Update March 2011

2. In February members of the Green Council undertook a waste audit. We asked Mr Wylie to keep behind one days waste and then opened each bag to check what was inside. We separated out waste that could have been recycled such as paper, plastics , glass and fruit waste against those things which we cannot yet recycle in Blackpool. This is what we found!!

3. School is doing some good recycling of paper and fruit waste. A great improvement on where we were last year.

4. But there is still room for improvement!

5. As the pie chart shows people were still throwing out paper and cardboard when it could be recycled. Some Plastic bottles and glass jars are being thrown out and some infant classes are still not composting as much waste as they could.

6. We were very surprised at one of the staff room bins – in which we found glass jars, tins, paper cuttings and plastic bottles. To help the staff recycle more a compost bin and recycling box will be put in the staff room, so there is no excuse!

7. We are all responsible for reducing waste in school We would like everyone including staff to:- 1)recycle all waste paper and cardboard 2) Compost all fruit waste 3) Recycle all plastic bottles 4) Recycle all tins and glass. We plan to conduct another waste audit in the future and hope to see a further improvement.

8. In January we also monitored pupil and staff use of paper. We were upset by the findings. As a school we used over 40,000 sheets of paper in one month! We also know some of the peaks were due to SATs assessments in year 2 and 6.

10. February was better. 26,000 sheets were used. But this is still far too many sheets. If some classes can work on less than 500 we all can! There is no explanation for this high consumption.

12. We would like to see real change in the school, that’s why the council have set a target of cutting paper consumption by at least 25% this month. There are plenty of alternatives to copying paper!! We all need to work at this but especially staff.

13. So here are your class targets for paper reduction based on February’s copy totals. You will be able to access these targets on the Green Council Blog and on the notice board. We will update you again at the end of the month to see how you have done!!!

14. Respect tokens will also be given out if you are seen showing respect to the school environment. That might be through recycling, composting, reusing paper, turning lights off, picking up litter.

15. On a positive note school did recycle over 138kg of textiles in February raising £69 for school gardens. Thank you for your efforts The 600 bulbs you planted in the sensory garden and trim trail area have started to grow. Just watch where you stand. We see children and staff turning lights and equipment off when they are not needed. These are great habits to keep. Long may they last. The trees you planted are starting to bud meaning spring is on the way.