Green Action Centre asked SSES to complete a second waste audit for our school.
We were asked to collect all the school’s compost, recycling and garbage for a
24 hour period. By weighing and recording each bag we can find out how we are
doing at controlling and reducing our waste.
The students in Mrs. Poloski’s class were our Earth
Ambassadors. They were asked to think about what things are we doing well and
what things can we do better? The students sorted each garbage bag. They
noticed some recycling and compost are being put in the garbage. We made up a slogan:
‘KNOW before you THROW’. They believe most students know where things should go
they just don’t THINK. The students said that with a little bit of
thinking it could go a long way. They want another sorting bin in each
classroom. They decided it should be called ‘REUSE’. There were a lot of items
in the garbage that could have been saved and reused as something else. They
found a pair of flip-flops. One student said they could have made them into fly
swatters. Wooden chops sticks were found and another student thought her peas
that she planted could have climbed up the sticks.
The students also discussed REDUCING the amount of garbage.
Some students said their family does not have a compost pile. Some didn’t know
where to put dog waste. Many wanted to help make decisions when grocery
shopping and look for less packaging.
It was a rich and authentic activity for the students. They
got up close and personal with the schools’ waste management program and came
out of the experience with strong opinions and great questions.
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