Fantastic waste results from Devon Primary Schools
Our waste educators have been working hard with primary schools across Devon, delivering the Watch Our Waste (WOW) project. The project aims to help schools reduce their waste and minimise how much of it ends up in the general waste bins. This can help the school save money by lowering waste disposal costs, while also boosting recycling rates and improving composting systems.
The WOW project runs all year long. It involves teaching students about reduce, reuse, recycle, supporting waste audit workshops, whole school assemblies and more!
Here are a few schools with fantastic results:
- Wynstream Primary School in Exeter increased their recycling rate from 9% to 68% and reduced their general waste overall by 84%!!!
- Blackawton Primary School in the South Hams increased their recycling rate from 46% to 73% and reduced their general waste overall by 45%
- Rydon Primary School in Teignbridge increased their recycling rate from 25% to 62% and reduced their general waste overall by 47%
- St James Primary School in West Devon increased their recycling rate from 0% to 73% and reduced their general waste overall by 43%
The teachers involved said:
‘The workshop was excellent, and Alex was super supportive in helping us achieve the results of the second waste audit. The first assembly and follow-up newsletter were both informative and inspiring for the school community. The workshop content was well pitched for primary-aged pupils, with clear and achievable goals that were easy for the school community to understand and act on.’
‘Alex has been excellent throughout this process. The children loved working with her and the resulting assembly was really engaging. Alex has enabled us to make significant recycling changes in our school, having a huge whole school impact. Thank you Alex.’
‘Fantastic working with Alex and looking at existing recycling systems in school and how we can improve them. Also starting a new campaign ‘Snack in a pot’
‘Explanations were brilliant around the ‘why’ of what we were doing and ‘how’ were going to go about it. The children were fascinated by the process.’
Congratulations to the schools above for their superb commitment and dedication to reducing their waste! Well Done!
If you would like to get your school involved with the WOW project for the 2026/27 academic year. Please contact Alex Mack on alex.mack@resourcefutures.co.uk or phone her on 07944 791971.
Schools across England are legally required to separate food waste, dry mixed recycling and general waste as of the 31st of March 2025, under the Simpler Recycling legislation.
