Fundraising has always been a cornerstone of school communities, but the last few years have presented many unique challenges.
With cutbacks for schools, traditional fundraising efforts have played a major part in keeping the school purse from being empty. One thing we have seen first-hand during 2024 and the years before, is that the time and resources from PTAs, parents, carers, and students have all been invaluable and tireless.
However, one thing remains clear: educating children about the importance of recycling and the impact of waste on our planet is more critical than ever. It’s essential for children of all ages to understand how recycling benefits the environment, reduces harm, and helps conserve precious resources. To support this mission, Kids Just Recycle has developed simple yet impactful list of creative recycling ideas for schools to adopt, whether for primary or secondary students.
Primary school: fun, hands-on recycling activities
For younger children, recycling can be a hands-on, practical learning experience that combines fun with education. A great example is teaching them how to recycle and repurpose paper. By following a few simple steps, kids can see the transformation of waste into something useful:
- Collect used paper and mix it with water to remove ink.
- Blend the mixture into a mushy substance known as pulp.
- Shape the pulp, press it flat, and let it dry to create brand-new sheets of paper.
How amazing for kids to watch the process of old paper being turned into something new! This activity not only demonstrates recycling in action but also encourages creativity and teamwork. You can also explain other recycling processes, such as how everyday items like tin cans are broken down, melted, and reformed into new products. While these processes aren’t suitable for classroom experiments, they help children understand the bigger picture of how materials are reused on an industrial scale.
Secondary school: empowering students to take action
For older students, recycling can go beyond the basics, offering them an opportunity to take an active role in creating change. Secondary school pupils can develop their leadership and project management skills while learning about sustainability. Here are some ideas:
- Waste Audits: Conduct a thorough assessment of all school waste, from paper to food to water, to understand where improvements are needed.
- Action Plans: Develop detailed strategies to address waste reduction, set priorities, and gain school approval for projects.
- SMART Targets: Use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set realistic recycling goals.
- Awareness Campaigns: Organise creative advertising and marketing initiatives to educate peers and inspire school-wide participation.
- Measure and Celebrate Success: Track progress, share results, and encourage other year groups to join in the effort.
A recycling project for all ages: textile collection
One area where both primary and secondary schools can collaborate is textile recycling. Collecting pre-loved clothes, paired shoes, and household fabrics is an easy and effective way to reduce waste and support a good cause or simply raise money for your own school. By placing a Kids Just Recycle clothing bin at your school, students can donate unwanted items and help raise funds. For every tonne of reusable clothing collected, your school earns £400, and the clothes are distributed to those in need across the UK and beyond, keeping them out of landfill. This is one of our easiest creative recycling ideas.
Our team provides the recycling bin for FREE and ensures that it is emptied regularly. This initiative not only benefits the planet but also fosters a sense of community and giving.