Eco-schools Newsletter - Summer 2010

This edition focuses on some up-coming key changes and a new fund-raising initiative for schools. You’ll also find information about this year’s Eco-Schools Show, Bug Month and Green Britain Day plus a competition reminder and Stats Corner. Eco-schools Newsletter Summer 2010

Food waste consistently forms the largest proportion of household waste which if sent to landfill would rot down, producing methane gas, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. Leicestershire County Council is offering all Primary Schools one free Green Cone food digester to encourage pupils and staff to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill. This will be professionally installed.

The Green Cone digests all types of food waste, including fruit and vegetable scraps, dairy products, and bread, as well as raw and cooked meat, fish, bones and organic kitchen waste. Unlike a traditional composter is does not produce any compost, the food waste is simply converted into nutrients that pass into the soil. One Green Cone can digest two kitchen caddies worth of food per week, and for this reason it is not suitable for the main kitchen or canteen use. Suggested usage could be on the edge of a playground for packed lunch or break time remnants such as bread crusts, peelings, apple cores etc.

Schools can also request a copy of a DVD explaining more about Green Cones and the importance of food waste minimisation and disposal.

If your school would like further information or place an order, please contact Nicola Howell on (0116) 305 7288 or email nicola.howell@leics.gov.uk

Householders can also purchase a heavily discounted Green Cone from Leicestershire County Council.

Join the Pod

The pod provides useful resources, activities and support for schools wanting to apply for the Green Flag award. There are free resources, a blog to spread the word of your projects to other schools and bronze, silver and gold awards for schools working on various environmentally friendly projects. The Pod is run by EDF energy so naturally a lot of information is dedicated to energy efficiency but has also had input from the Eden Project. The site is aimed at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils. To find out more and to register your school see The Pod.

Generation Green - energy education and prizes

This is an excellent energy education website run by British Gas where schools can gain points to swap for green awards such as a water butt or bird nest camera. Green Leaves (points) are awarded by downloading lesson plans, calculating schools carbon footprint and by family and friends completing an Energy Savers report on the British Gas website. See Generation Green to find out how your school can benefit

Sustainable Schools and eco award schemes

A recent study by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) - Sustainable Schools: How national recognition schemes can support your school's progress shows that Eco Schools is a good comprehensive programme. It found that Eco Schools was the only scheme to meet all 8 doorways of sustainability across the 3 c's - curriculum, campus and community.

BBC Breathing Places Schools

This programme for Primary Schools is inviting schools to 'Do One Thing' to encourage wildlife into their grounds and increase pupil's understanding of wildlife. There are termly activities and a look around survey sheet to help pupils do a wildlife survey in the school grounds. Schools in the scheme receive a welcome pack, access to a website, newsletter and ideas for activities. To find out more and to register your school see the BBC Breathing Places Schools now.