In this modern day and age, we are all familiar with the importance of sustainability, the reduction of our impact on the planet and the attempt to slow the effects of global warming.

In the face of escalating climate change our efforts need to be extended, and thankfully, our schools and businesses are a great place to start. 

Schools are packed with enthusiastic children willing to take the extra steps to effect change and shape their own futures, all they need is a bit of encouragement from their teachers and the know-how to get going. 

Offices and businesses around the country rely so heavily on efficiency and maximizing profits, whilst trying to balance sustainability, that getting stuck with what you already have becomes a huge problem. 

It does not always have to start with futuristic, cool-sounding technology or expensive changes; instead, these strategies will empower you, and your school or workplace, to be the change you want to see in the world.

 The tips below will help you to not only benefit the environment but also your communities and local area. 

Let’s take the first step together. 

Promoting Digital Solutions

One thing workplaces and schools have in common is their reliance on physical items like:

• Paper
• Pens
• Books
• Craft materials
• Plastics
• Glues
• Printers

Cutting down on these materials can be a superb place to start; que the switch to digital.  

Cloud storage means better access for all at any time, fewer maintenance costs, higher efficiency, and the impracticalities of running out of inventory disappear altogether.

Workflow and education software can streamline meetings, group projects, deadlines, assignments and enhance communication among many other things – not to mention that cloud storage takes up exactly the space of a phone, as opposed to cupboards and cupboards full of stuff.  

Using technology is starting to look like a no-brainer, but there is one issue; companies and schools across the country have been using technology for a long time, which is great, but the age of tech can become a problem.  

Getting Rid of Old Tech  

‘Old’ technology had its place and improved our lives significantly, however, time marches on; just like the advancement of our tech. 

Older computers with no power and no memory can affect things like processing speeds and user-friendliness, clunky old-school laptops can struggle to keep up with modern internet speeds and outdated software and systems can have a massive impact on staff productivity. 

But don’t worry, there are lots of things we can do with old tech; repurposing it is a great option for schools as it could be used as an opportunity for learning or creativity. 

Many local businesses can help with e-waste recycling collection such as Green E-Waste Recycling Center and Modern Waste. Computers, old phones and tablets do contain some precious materials so selling items could be an option, and there are plenty of places that recycle old tech through green electronics recycling initiatives, putting all the components and materials to good use.

Reduce Single-Use Items

This is one of the most common talking points when the subject of sustainability and environmental impact is raised, but it’s much more difficult than it first seems. 

We live in a world where everything we need is produced and sold to us, so the ability to cut out single-use items, namely plastics completely, is outside our hands. That being said, we can still do plenty for colleagues and children at school. 

Providing water bottles to students and staff is a big step in the right direction as wax-dipped paper cups and plastic bottles are huge problems for the environment, but we can’t just stop there; these bottles are useless without the installation of water-filling stations to back them up. 

Canteens and staff kitchens are also a sticking point for sustainability; wooden coffee stirrers, plastic or wooden cutlery, single-use plates and napkins can all be replaced with alternatives like metal cutlery, porcelain mugs and proper plates, but once again this move must be backed up providing space to clean and dry these items.   

Another popular solution is the use of compostable items within schools and workplaces. This can include cutlery, plates, and cups made from cornstarch, bamboo, or sugarcane, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional single-use plastics. Focus efforts towards creating designated composting facilities to help process them correctly and efficiently.

Conduct a Waste Audit

Once you have started to implement a reduction in single-use plastics, you may well start to notice the other waste that you are continuing to see in the trash; this is where a waste audit comes in. 

A waste audit will provide you with a clear understanding of the types of waste that you are producing, how much of it is being generated, and will help you decide what to do with it. Once complete you should have a solid plan that allows you to focus efforts on key areas where you can reduce waste and effect change.

Schools in particular are a huge producer of waste, so a waste audit could be of huge benefit. In fact, public schools in the US produce approximately 14,500 tons of waste every day! And of that 14,500 tons, around 80% of it is suspected to be recyclable, but a meager 20% is what gets recycled; shocking figures, but how does a waste audit help?

A waste audit will: 

• Clearly display the weak points in your recycling and waste management systems.
• Help to identify items that are being incorrectly sorted by the current system.
• Allow you to establish a new and much more effective system.
• Educate staff and students on the correct processes going forward. 

Furthermore, getting staff and students involved in the process can be a great learning tool for everyone involved, and the younger generations will carry this knowledge through life with them. 

Implement a Comprehensive Recycling Program

After the comprehensive and informative data we received from the waste audit, it’s time to implement a new recycling program that covers all the bases; if you’re thinking that your school or workplace already has one, then it’s time for an update. 

Signage

Starting with the essentials is the first step in rejuvenating or starting any recycling program; clearly labelling your bins, boxes or whatever else you are using as sorters may sound super obvious, but so many people get it wrong. 

Clear signage goes a long way, so ensure yours lists exactly what can and can’t be placed into each bin.

Information

Next, inform the people using the recycling program how it works, and why you are doing it. It’s all well and good designing a great plan and getting nice bins and fancy signs, but if no one knows what to do, things will go wrong. 

Location

The final key to success is the location of your recycling points; make them easy to spot, easy to get to and easy to keep clean. Weirdly enough, people are put off using unclean and overflowing bins. 

It’s also essential to figure out some high-traffic areas in your buildings and place the bins in these locations to maximize their usage. 

These steps ensure that people can access the bins with ease, they can be cleaned easily and people know how to use them; simple.  

Composting Organic Waste

Next up is organic waste composting, something that can seem a bit intimidating but is actually a breeze with the right tools in place. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to starting your very own compost system: 

1. Choose a Location: Select a suitable site for your compost bin or pile, preferably outdoors and with good drainage, so as to avoid unpleasant smells and allow for easy cleaning.
2. Set Up a Compost Bin: Use a commercial compost bin or build your own- this makes a great project for school children. 
3. Collect Organic Waste: Use the food scraps gathered with your recycling system from canteens, coffee grounds from office kitchens, yard clippings from the maintenance teams, and other compostable materials. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods.
4. Layering: Alternate layers of green materials (e.g., fruit scraps, food waste, grass clippings) with brown materials (e.g., leaves, cardboard).
5. Maintain: Turn the pile regularly to aerate and speed up decomposition. Keep it moist but not too wet, we don’t want to drench it! 
6. Harvest: After a few months, the compost should be dark, crumbly, and ready to use on whatever you like.

Now that you’ve got your very own compost you can use on vegetable patches, for plant soil or any other garden projects you’ve got going on. If you’re an office space then find local places to donate your compost like allotments, vegetable gardens or local gardening communities.

Keeping all these materials out of the landfill can save a huge amount of resources, and using the waste from our food to grow more food is a great step towards a circular system.

Reducing Carbon Footprints

A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual or organization; this can range from your car’s carbon emissions on your commute and the emissions of your school bus, to the fuel used to get your Amazon package delivered to your door.

The carbon in our atmosphere is one of the key elements that is causing the planet to heat, and reducing our carbon outputs is a crucial part of the fight against climate change; you can check yours using online tools like the EPA’s carbon footprint calculator and start trying to bring it down. 

Here are some tips that will ensure a smaller footprint:

• Promote Public Transportation and Carpooling: Encourage your staff, pupils or parents to share rides, use public transport or cycle.
• Telecommuting: Implement remote work policies allowing staff to work from home a few days a week to decrease travel-related emissions.
• Support Renewable Energy: Invest in solar panels, wind turbines, or purchase green energy for your buildings.
• Electric School Buses: Transition to a fleet of electric buses to significantly cut down on emissions and help larger groups of children get to school safely.

Following some of the other tips above will actively lower your carbon emissions, but there is always more that can be done, so take a look at ways to reduce your carbon output.

Final Thoughts

Sustainability is one of the hot topics in today’s world, and so it should be; we are fighting to secure the future of our planet for the preceding generations.

As things currently stand, we have been losing the battle. However, we have reached a tipping point and are optimistic we can make a difference. We now have the tools and the know-how to fight back, so let’s start taking steps in the right direction. Use this guide to help your school or workplace to implement simple changes that are easy to set up and even easier to follow. 

We can all work together to push for a more sustainable way of living, and try to give back to the earth, instead of simply taking.