Words of Wisdom:
Treasure Your Trash

Many solutions we seek with regard to achieving sustainability are within our reach. That’s the lesson our school’s Environment Club has learned over the past two years. We’ve reduced the volume of our waste at our school by 25 per cent. We need to go further, and we will, because we have the evidence we need to suggest we are making a difference. If you are interested in leading your school on a similar journey of change, here are some tips!



Dig In

Conduct a garbage audit to find out how much of your school’s garbage could be diverted from the waste stream. We found that more than 80 per cent of our waste could have 
been reused, recycled or composted.



Bin There

Make sure every classroom in your school 
has bins for recycling. You’ll find you can cover the cost of the purchase of the bins within a few months simply by cashing in on the refundable containers you collect.



Compost

Start a composting system in your school. You may reduce your waste by as much as 50 per cent. Be sure to talk with your foods teachers and your cafeteria staff to get them onside.



Share Your Success

Let your community know what you’ve accomplished and invite them to join your cause. Ask your teachers if you can talk to their classes, let your parent group know what you’re doing, present to your school trustees.



Reward Yourself

Whether you spend a few contemplative moments on a quiet patch of earth or the whole day crossing a landscape, time outdoors will remind you why the work you do for the environment is so worthwhile.