Introduction
As a geography teacher based on the fringes of London, there’s always lots of talk on how schools can demonstrate environmentally friendly practices, in a manageable and sustainable way.
Whilst keeping costs down and taking as little time as possible.
Given how frantic the average school day is for teachers and students alike! After some pondering and reflection, here are 5 ways we as teachers can inspire environmentalism in schools
School Compost Bin
Having a school compost bin encourages students to act mindful and be intuitive with their waste. To help set a precedent in the future on the standards the school upholds as well as the students.
I’d recommend a few key things to consider before installing one of these in your schools
- Promote this to students and explain to them why this is important and why you are doing it.
- Have a member of staff who is out on break/lunch duty to ensure the upkeep of the compost bin.
- Maintenance of the compost bin to ensure there is an even mix of brown and green materials in your compost bin. (Once a month will do!)
- A sign stating what is allowed to be put into the compost bin
If you are interested in installing a compost bin in your school/home. Click here to find out how easy it is to compost.
A school compost bin promotes environmentalism in schools, as this is something all students can take part in with little effort.
Ens
Switch to LED Bulbs
Swapping out halogen light bulbs and Energy efficient light bulbs (CFLs) for LED lights can help save money.
LEDs require 85% less power whilst emitting the same amount of light!
The initial cost of the LED lights fitting may be intimidating, however over a few years, his money will be saved in the long term.
Consider it an investment!
LEDs also produce significantly less eat than other types of light bulbs, so there are no health and safety considerations that have to be considered when making this decision
Ecobricks!
You can ask students to bring in empty plastic bottles and use mud/cement to keep the bottles in place.
The possibilities for this repurposing our endless Here are some suggestions:
- Well
- Statue
- Podium (Sports Day)
- Compost Bin
This is an amazing way to reuse and repurpose single-use plastics. As well as encouraging students to be proactive in the approach to environmentalism in a fun and active way.
Eco-Warrior Ambassadors
Eco-warrior ambassadors are a great way to give students a role of responsibility within the school!
This generation is more motivated and passionate about the environment than previous generations, making the most of it. Ask for different volunteers from students through after-school clubs or in forms and give them responsibilities to do in school.
Here are some suggestions:
- At the end of every day collect the recycling bins from their form room/staffroom and put them in a pre-determined destination.
- Ensure your school compost bin has the right amount of green/brown materials(If you do this have a sign on the compost bin to remind them of available green/brown materials for them to add).
- Doing assemblies on sustainability and the environment.
The promotion of responsibility and bestowing a sense of duty on students is a great way to create and manifest role models of environmentalism in schools.
Contribute To World Earth Day, Veganuary and Meat-Free Mondays
In Schools, we can emphasize on key times throughout the year such as World Earth Day (22nd April 2023) or Veganuary (the Whole of January 2023).
World Earth Day
World Earth day is celebrated on the 22nd of April every year. This is an annual celebration that honours the achievements of the environmental movements to date. This day is also used to spread awareness of current environmental issues, why we need to protect the earth’s natural resources as well as how we can be proactive in doing so.
Veganuary
Veganuary is one-month abstinence from meat in a pursuit to reduce our environmental impact, as well as replace the consumption of meat with alternatives that have a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
The removal of meat from the canteen and encouraging (not forcing) students to bring in meat-free packed lunches too.
Meat Free Monday
A less extreme version of Veganuary is Meat-free Monday.
This can be done by not selling meat in the school canteen on Mondays because of the environmental impact meat has on the environment.
This could be practised on any day of the week, as a lot of catholic schools practise during lent on Fridays, in memory of Jesus dying on the cross, as the meat was chosen as a sacrifice because it was a celebratory food at the time.
Conclusion
As fellow teachers, we have so much going on, on an average school day.
Running from class to class, trying to print resources out to find out the printer hasn’t worked for the third day in a row. Endless emails from parents. Not to forget students stopping you in the halls to tell you 10 minutes before the lesson why they haven’t done their homework.
The list is ENDLESS.
Nevertheless, as teachers, we must inspire learning and curiosity about the world in our students. To make them realise that the world is so vast and complicated.
Promoting something like environmentalism in schools helps encapsulate this. It also enables them to grow and become smarter, more empathetic and more well-rounded people!
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