Physical Place:
Reduce, Reuse,
Rethink, Recycle
START Metric #33:
Waste Minimization
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Ideas & Resources
Waste minimization focuses on reducing the amount of waste generated by your school before it becomes a problem, emphasizing proactive measures over reactive solutions. Unlike waste diversion, which deals with managing waste after it is produced, waste minimization aims to prevent waste at its source. This includes strategies like conscientious resource planning, procuring durable and high-quality items, adjusting consumption behaviors, and improving daily practices.
The stakes are significant: globally, over 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste are generated annually, and this is projected to rise to 3.4 billion tons by 2050 (World Bank). By prioritizing waste minimization, schools can conserve resources, reduce costs, and lower their environmental footprint. Teaching students and staff to adopt sustainable practices also fosters a culture of mindful consumption that extends beyond the school environment.
Strategies for Waste Minimization
NOTE: This is not a prescriptive list; it just offers ideas to inspire action and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of each school.
Conduct a Waste Audit
Assess the types and volumes of waste generated at your school to identify key areas for reduction.
Use findings to prioritize specific waste streams for minimization efforts.
Adopt Smart Procurement Practices
Purchase items in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
Choose products made from recycled materials or those with minimal packaging.
Focus on investing in durable, high-quality items that reduce the need for replacements.
Shift to Digital Solutions
Replace paper-based processes with digital tools for assignments, communication, and record-keeping.
Encourage teachers and students to use online resources instead of printed materials.
Encourage Reusable Items
Promote the use of reusable water bottles, lunch containers, and utensils among students and staff.
Replace single-use items like plastic cutlery, straws, and disposable cups with durable alternatives.
Implement Sustainable Consumption Policies
Establish guidelines to reduce unnecessary purchases or over-ordering of supplies.
Encourage shared use of resources like textbooks, equipment, and classroom materials.
Foster Behavior Changes
Launch awareness campaigns to educate students and staff about the environmental impact of waste.
Use visual prompts, such as posters or infographics, to encourage mindful consumption.
Optimize Food Practices
Plan menus to reduce food waste in school cafeterias.
Encourage students to bring only what they can consume for lunch and snacks.
Create a Reuse Program
Set up a “Reuse Station” for sharing gently used items like binders, stationery, and classroom supplies.
Encourage staff to repurpose materials in creative ways rather than discarding them.
Improve Work Practices
Review office workflows to minimize waste, such as setting double-sided printing as the default.
Optimize storage and inventory management to prevent materials from expiring or becoming obsolete.
Engage Students in Solutions
Involve students in brainstorming and implementing waste minimization initiatives.
Integrate waste reduction topics into project-based learning and sustainability education.
Track and Share Progress
Measure reductions in waste volume or costs saved through minimization efforts.
Share results with the school community to build momentum and celebrate success.
‘How To’ Guides
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How to Reduce School Supply Waste
From GSA, tips and steps to help you reduce the waste your school produces in the first place.
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“Know What You Throw” Waste Audit Resources
From the New York Department of Education and Cafeteria Culture, a range of resources to assist your school in conducting a Waste Audit, including: Educational PowerPoints for Students, Data Sheets, Posters, Worksheets, and more!
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Roadmap to Reducing & Recovering Surplus Food
"Sharing the Table: A Roadmap to Reducing and Recovering Surplus Food in Schools" shares programs that can help school staff redirect food that was assembled for student meals but not eaten.
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NRDC's Best Practices for Reducing Food Waste
In this guide, the NRDC highlights best practices for preventing food waste, ensuring that food surpluses reach people in need, and recycling food scraps.
Wasting Less Food in K-12 Settings: Best Practices for Success (National Resources Defense Council)
True Food No Waste: A Food Waste Action Plan for Minneapolis Public Schools
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Food Waste Tracker (sheet)
The Food Waste Tracker from the International Food Waste Coalition is a handy tool in the fight against waste.
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Report: School Kitchen Optimization (EU)
From the International Food Waste Coalition, a report on the Skool program, including:
Part 1: Causes of food waste in schools
Part 2: SKOOL’s ecosystem – ambition: to create links between the different actors to reassert the value of food
Part 3: Guides developed
Part 4: Results, case studies and testimonials
Part 5: Key messages
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Case Study: A Phased Approach to Making Change Happen
Located in Sydney Australia, Ascham School is a progressive girls’ school that provides daily meals to over 120 boarders, day students and staff, as well as catering for school community events, providing great scope to influence sustainable food practices.
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Zero-Waste School Event Guide
From Seven Generations Ahead, a guide to hosting a zero-waste school event.
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WWF's Recommendations for 'Educating Tomorrow's Food Waste Warriors'
In this resource, learn about the Food Waste Warrior Curriculum & food waste prevention strategies.
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EPA Guide: Conducting a Student Waste Audit
From the EPA, how to plan for a student-focused cafeteria waste audit, including
items and personnel needed, and tips for waste prevention. -
Waste Audit Activity Pack (Aus)
Suitable for schools in countries using the metric system (e.g. liters and kg), this activity pack from the Rumbalara Environmental Education Center includes: Steps to prepare and conduct a student waste audit; Equipment List; Waste Summary Recording Sheet; Interview Recording Sheets; Example Waste Action Plan; Ideas for Waste-Free Lunches; Additional Resources
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PowerPoint: What is Food Waste? (Grades 6-12)
From the WWF's Food Waste Warriors program, a PowerPoint Presentation for 6th-12th grade students that explains the issue of food waste, and provides strategies to help.
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PowerPoint: What is Food Waste? (Grades K-5)
From the WWF's Food Waste Warriors program, a PowerPoint for students in Grades K-5 to introduce the issue and provide ways to help.
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WWF's Food Waste Warriors Toolkit (K-2)
From WWF's Food Waste Warriors program, a toolkit to teach students in grades K-2 (kindergarten to age 8) about:
> what food waste is and why it isn’t good.
> the resources that go into producing food.
> three ways to reduce food waste.
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A Different Way of Looking at Waste
A resource for primary schools to explore food that is healthy for people and healthy for the planet.
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Fighting Food Waste Graphics
From the International Food Waste Coalition, 9 easy tips for reducing food waste.
Additional Resources
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WWF Video: Why Food Waste Matters
From the World Wildlife Fund, a video for school audiences on why food waste matters, and what we can do about it.
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WWF's Food Waste Warrior School Program + Toolkit's
Cafeterias are turned into classrooms, as World Wildlife Fund teaches students about the connection between their food and the environment and how to be food waste warriors.
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Rethinking Food Waste
From the Educated Choices Program, a video presentation and accompanying education package about "Re-thinking Food Waste: The Journey of Food".
Schools hold the key to a healthy, sustainable and regenerative future.
They are role-models and incubators that that nurture, educate and prepare each generation for adult life.
Schools have a unique opportunity and profound responsibility to become part the transition to a sustainable, regenerative future in which people and planet can thrive.
But how do we get there?
START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool was created by schools, for schools, to help them develop comprehensive programs for step-by-step progress towards sustainability, regenerative practice, and student empowerment.
START provides a Roadmap for School Sustainability:
It breaks down school sustainability into clear actions (‘metrics’), such as Minimizing Waste, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and supporting Sustainable Transportation options.
However, research shows it’s not enough for a school to simply reduce its environmental impact.
Students and staff also need to learn about sustainability, and practice it in day-to-day activities, because this impacts their attitudes and behaviors when they leave school. That’s why START includes metrics like Sustainability Events for Students, Sustainability Course Content, and Sustainable Purchasing Practices.
How sustainable is our school now?
Schools use START to measure how sustainable they are now. A school’s START team investigates how their school currently operates to find their ‘sustainability baseline’ for each metric. For example, is our school a beginner, intermediate or advanced in sustainable water use? START enables schools to benchmark, track and visualize their current sustainability levels, as well as hard data around their waste, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Where should we go next, and do we collaborate for success?
What do we need to do to ‘level up’ in each metric? Once schools have their baselines, START helps them to set goals and plan for progress. START provides a central hub for school members to collaborate, document, and plan their school’s sustainability journey.
START is a subscription-based Whole School Sustainability dashboard.
It requires at least one adult school member to create a school’s START account, but it will need a team (students, teachers and staff) to grow a Whole School Sustainability program.
Interested schools can sign up for a demo or apply to set up an account.
Learn more about START here, and consider sharing the brochure with your school.
Let’s create a better future, one school at a time.
Contact us at guides@greenschoolsalliance.org if you have a free resource to contribute or recommend that can help schools take action around this specific sustainability metric.