Schools get a taste for recycling lunch leftovers

Every primary and secondary school in the district is now a fully-fledged member of the Council’s food recycling programme for schools, aiming to reduce the amount of canteen food waste ending up in landfill.

The average school produces around 62 tonnes of waster every year so the council is encouraging all organic waste to be disposed of in waste recycling bins rather than black bins.

A council spokesperson said recycling food waste at home and at school is not only better for the environment, it’s also more cost effective for the district as landfill taxes are ever increasing.

Council Waste Education Officer Tracy Fitzpatrick said, “Schools that fully exploit this opportunity to recycle food waste can help further improve the district’s recycling rate and contribute to landfill diversion targets.

“Recycling at school whether it’s in the classroom or canteen is a lesson all children should be learning. Encouraging children to minimise waste from an early age will play a huge part in reducing the amount of waste that future generations produce.

“Most schools in the Banbridge District do a great job in promoting recycling and fostering a more responsible attitude to environmental protection.”

Schools that would like more brown bins can contact the council’s Technical Services Department on 406 60604.