Below are some activity ideas, lesson plans and links. If you run any of these activities on your own, let the recycling team know as we'd love to hear about it.
Waste audit
A waste audit is a really useful exercise to run with keystage 2 and above. It will provide a benchmark for the school to improve on and compare with other schools and show the students where improvements can be made.
Waste audit lesson plan and recording sheet
Eco-Active Business waste audit campaign
Waste-free lunch
This can be run as a class or school event, as a waste-free lunch or adapted to a waste-free party. Students will explore ways to reduce food waste and think about packaging which can be unnecessary.
Waste free lunch lesson plan keystage 1
Waste free lunch lesson plan keystage 2
Plastic bottle greenhouse
Several local schools have now built greenhouses from empty plastic bottles. It is a big project and we would recommend that the build happens gradually as and when enough plastic bottles are collected, rather than trying to build it over a few days.
Plastic bottle greenhouse instructions
Compost in a bottle
The composting process can be viewed on a miniature scale inside a 2 litre plastic bottle.
Compost in a bottle instructions
Paper making
This is a fantastic practical activity to highlight the process of recycling and the environmental benefits. When the paper is ready, ask each student to write a pledge, showing their commitment to doing something new to reduce, reuse or recycle.
Paper making instructions
Recycle chart (keystage 1)
Students can colour in this chart as they recycle.
Recycle chart
Useful links
WARP Partners website (requires you to register to gain access to free downloads)
RecycleNow website