Waste and recycling
Learn how waste impacts our planet and discover smart ways to reduce it
Waste production reflects our modern consumption and lifestyles. Across the UK, households generate around 31 million tonnes of waste each year, with the average person throwing away roughly 400kg annually.
The large amount of household waste is mainly due to the increase in packaging over the last 40 years, while food waste remains a major contributor. Other types of waste, such as chemical and industrial waste, can last for thousands of years and pose serious health and pollution risks.
We all need to think carefully about the products we buy, how we use them, and where we dispose of them. By making small changes at home, we can significantly reduce the amount of rubbish we produce and protect the environment for future generations.
What problems and challenges can waste cause?
If not properly managed, waste can harm the environment and damage ecosystems. It can pollute rivers, oceans, and soil, posing a serious threat to wildlife and biodiversity.
While we all create waste, few of us want landfill sites or incineration plants near our homes. The problem is that waste is being produced far faster than it can be safely treated or disposed of.
The most effective solution is to reduce waste at its source, by preventing it from being created in the first place. This requires effort from governments, businesses, and consumers, as it involves rethinking how we buy, use, and dispose of everyday products.
By buying less, wasting less, and recycling what we can’t reuse, we can all play a part in reducing the impact of waste on our planet.
Project ideas…
Arrange a school visit to a local recycling plant or collection facility to see first-hand the variety and volume of items that are thrown away
Visit a supermarket with a list of standard purchases and study the amount of packaging waste produced. Discuss how this could be reduced through smarter shopping choices
Carry out a waste audit at your school to find out what’s being thrown away. Could any of it be reduced, reused, or recycled?
Set up a compost bin at school and use the compost in science projects, planting activities, or the school garden