Input E · ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE

ONE SCHOOL, TWO PLASTIC PROBLEMS

Two trials showed that different kinds of waste need different solutions.

A

When Greenfield School checked its rubbish for one week, students expected plastic drink bottles to be the main problem. Instead, the audit found that disposable cups, forks and takeaway containers from the canteen appeared more often than bottles.

B

The school tested two ideas in different buildings so staff could compare the results before making more changes. In the science block, it installed two refill stations and stopped selling small bottles nearby. In the arts block, the canteen introduced reusable food containers that students returned for washing after lunch.

C

After six weeks, bottle sales near the refill stations had fallen by 45 percent, but the number of food wrappers there was almost unchanged. The reusable-container trial cut disposable takeaway containers by about 60 percent, although staff needed extra space for washing and storing them.

D

The results convinced the school not to search for one solution to every type of plastic waste. It now plans to expand both systems, choosing each measure according to the waste it can realistically reduce. The school will repeat the rubbish audit at the end of each term to check whether the changes continue to work in both buildings.

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