Recycling and waste education in schools

Bristol Green Teams Challenge 2012: Zero Waste Olympics

For our Green Teams Challenge this year we are challenging schools to recycle as much as possible. 

Green Teams will have between 11th June and the 29th June to recycle as much as possible. Medals and prize money will be awarded to schools who recycling the following:

• GOLD MEDAL - Any school that recycles between 100% and 85%.
• SILVER MEDAL - Any school that recycles between 84% and 70%
• BRONZE MEDAL - Any school that recycles between 69% and 50%

All School Council's, Green Teams, Eco-Warriors etc are welcome to enter.  If your school does not have a Green Team then individual class groups are welcome to enter.

To enter the competition please complete our registration form (pdf, 9.0 MB) and send it back to us.

Once your team has completed the registration form you will receive:

• Environmental resources including paper pencils and energy saving stickers
• Your entry form for the Bristol Green Teams Challenge 2012.

Waste awareness in schools

We are giving local schools free waste and recycling education workshops.

We are working with Waste Watch to deliver a tailor made education programme to local schools in Bristol.  Working with all schools in Bristol, we will deliver inspiring curriculum-linked educational programmes and will help and support schools' compliance with Sustainable Schools and achieving Eco-Schools awards.

Our free programme will help your school to:

• bring recycling and the environment to life for pupils
• improve your recycling facilities and save your school money
• face new sustainable schools targets with confidence.

Your free waste education programme could cover:

Visit 1 - full day

•  Interactive assembly.
•  Fun recycling games and workshops.
•  Waste audits.

Visit 2 - approximately 1 hour

• Consultation meeting.
• Guidance and support to increase your schools green credentials as well as helping Eco Clubs, sustainable school targets and eco school awards.

Competition - annual

• Your school can participate in our annual fun competition to win prizes and take part in a celebration event.

 To book a visit, please email our education officer - recycling.online@bristol.gov.uk.

Feedback on our Schools Waste Education Programme

Our Schools Waste Education Programme has received some excellent feedback and below are a few comments from some of the Bristol Schools we have visited.

"Very Visual, Interactive, Really good assembly, Speaker was clear interesting and experienced, children listened well". - North Bristol Teacher.
 
"Children were enthusiastic about their workshop - children were all engaged.  Nice activities, hands on so all children involved - mixed in with information which were able to understand".- Central Bristol Head
 
"Very Good, children have a better understanding about there their rubbish goes, what needs to be recycled and how they can reduce their waste". - South Central Bristol Teacher

Loan packs available to schools

Recycling and Waste theme resources are available for schools to reserve. Each resource pack is available to hire out.  Resource packs are aimed at different Key Stages from 1 to 4.

For more information on the loan packs available please have a look at our loan pack flyer (pdf, 0.5 MB).

To book a loan pack please email simon.anthony@bristol.gov.uk with possible dates.

Recycling rates for Bristol schools

Please be aware that we are working on a new edition of the recycling rates table for the end of the summer term 2012.

We have created a recycling rate for all Bristol schools by comparing how much each school recycles, to how much waste it produces overall.  This means, a school that recycles a little, but is careful with what it throws away, could be one of the top recycling schools.

Certificates have been sent to the following schools for:

• First Place – Shirehampton Primary School.
• Second Place – Two Mile Hill Primary School.
• Third Place – Hillcrest Primary School.
• Least Waste Produced – St Annes Infant School.
• Most Improved School – Waycroft Primary School.
• Most Recycled – Lockleaze Primary School.

To view previous top 20 schools, see below:

• Spring Term 2011 Recycling Rates. (pdf, 96 KB)
• 2010 Top 20 Recycling Schools (pdf, 95 KB).
• 2009 Top 20 Recycling Schools (pdf, 87 KB).

For information on how to improve your schools recycling and waste minimisation, please see our How to Improve Your Schools Recycling Rate guide (pdf, 78 KB).   Alternatively, you can contact Simon Anthony by emailing simon.anthony@bristol.gov.uk or by calling 07814 564 751.