Sustainability advice for schools
To help schools become more sustainable they should:
- set targets or make a sustainability strategy
- reduce energy use
- use renewable energy sources for the school buildings and land
- think about building efficiency
- reduce water use
- consider circular economy
- think about waste production
- use local businesses and educational establishments for goods, services and skills
- think about sustainable procurement
- think about how students and staff travel
- consider the natural environment
- think about engagement and communication around sustainability strategies
Set targets or make a sustainability strategy
Schools should make targets SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) and conduct research on the area you want to work before setting targets.
Reduce energy use
To reduce energy use schools can measure current energy use by looking at metres and bills. Then schools can consider where reductions can be made. For example:
- finding areas that can be worked on during school hours can help keep the costs down to avoid out of hours working or additional working during school holidays
- use less equipment, heating and lighting
- adjust space climate control to reduce unnecessary heating or cooling
- make sure power is off when equipment is not in use
- make sure heating systems, cooling systems and lighting is off when buildings are not in use
- upgrade to more energy efficient equipment, schools should start by reviewing the oldest equipment to first
Schools should also think about any light fittings which are placed above normal ceiling height, anything above 3 meters should be considered. For example, lights in a sports hall or dining hall. Lights placed at this height tend to be high wattage fittings and so would reduce energy use if they were swapped with LED bulbs. The controls for these lights could also be swapped to absence and presence detection in certain areas. You should focus on any area that is not used consistently such as toilets, changing rooms, store cupboards and canteens. Corridors could also be considered.
Use renewable energy sources for the school buildings and land
Renewable energy sources include:
- solar panels - find out more about Solar for Schools
- air and ground source heat pumps
- waste heat capture
Think about building efficiency
Having an efficient building will mean less energy is needed to heat or cool the space. Think about:
- insulation in walls and roofs
- double glazed windows
- draft proofing around doors and windows
- the types of doors used throughout the school such as sliding doors, rotating doors and push/pull doors
Reduce water use
Schools can measure current water use by looking at metres and bills. You can reduce water use by:
- using less water
- upgrading to more energy efficient equipment
- using grey water
Think about waste production
Schools can measure current waste data, you can contact your waste contractor who may have this data. To measure waste production you should counduct a waste audit by counting how many bin bags are produced and measuring the weight of them.
Schools should talk to their waste contractor who may be able to help you to conduct an audit or talk to you about reducing your waste. They may also be able to discuss additional services with you such as extra recycling streams. Contractors will help to ensure you're putting the right waste in the right place and not contaminating recycling or leaving things out of the recycling which can be recycled.
Schools must consider where reductions can be made by using the waste hierarchy:
- reduce what you use
- reuse what you can – switch to reusable items rather than single use ones
- recycle – recycle the right things
- consider if you need a food waste collection
- move away from single use plastics (where a suitable alternative is available)
- think about if there are any by-products that can be used in a different way
Consider circular economy
You should look at:
- incoming items - is it needed? Can it be purchased second hand, refurbished borrowed or shared? How will it be used, repaired and disposed of? What packaging will it be in, how will that be disposed of?
- items onsite - are assets looked after and repaired when needed rather than purchasing new? If items or stock are no longer needed, are they resold or donated? Is waste being disposed of in the best way?
- outgoing items - how are they packaged? Are they fit for purpose and repairable if necessary?
- sending and storing emails - Sending and storing emails emits carbon
Read more about what a circular economy is.
Use local businesses and educational establishments for goods, services and skills
By using local businesses and educational establishments you're keeping travel miles low (especially air miles), using less waste and packaging and you're also supporting the local economy and as a result enabling skills to grow.
Think about sustainable procurement
Schools such implement a procurement policy or framework. This should consider:
- a limitation to ordering supplies
- order only what is needed
- only select teams or people can make orders
- only order from select suppliers to consolidate deliveries
- place order less often to consolidate items
- asking suppliers or contractors what their sustainability criteria is
- a circular economy
Think about how students and staff travel
Schools can create a travel plan with the iTravel team. You can also encourage:
- active travel and the use of public transport by installing bike racks, discussing safe walking and cycling route and providing proficiency training
- car sharing - if cars are used
- use of electric vehicles
Schools must consider how deliveries are arriving at your organisation. They can:
- buy local to reduce air miles
- consider last mile logistics
- use bikes
- use electric vehicles
Consider the natural environment
You can:
- plant trees or other plants on property or supporting planting elsewhere
- create a green wall or green roof on your building
- grow some fruits and vegetables for the kitchen on site
Think about engagement and communication around sustainability strategies
Staff and students can:
- share sustainability policies and targets so everyone knows they are in place, including knowing what actions they need to take to achieve them
- encourage engagement through information campaigns (there are many local, national and international ones)
- encourage learning about sustainability across all disciplines and extracurricular activities
Staff can also:
- ask suppliers or contractors what their sustainability criteria is – try to use suppliers that align with your
- encourage suppliers to consider and adopt more sustainable actions if they are not doing so already
One sustainability strategy is networking. You can share best practice with other schools or sign up to a sustainability award scheme or project such as: