MOST POPULAR

Article Icon

How to reduce your plastic at school!

Help protect the environment by making your school day plastic free!

Calling all young eco-warriors and planet protectors!

Much of the plastic rubbish we throw in the bin ends up in the natural world, where it puts our wonderful wildlife in serious danger! And the really bad news – it stays there for a very long time. Did you know it takes over 20 years for a plastic bag to decompose back into nature? And 450 years for a plastic bottle to break down?!   

That’s why we need to do all we can to reduce the amount of plastic we use and chuck away. And there’s lots of simple ways we can do it! Let’s take a look at some top tips to cut back on plastic at school…


In your school bag!

Why not use wooden coloured pencils instead of highlighters, which are often made out of plastic?

1) Before buying new pencils, pens and notebooks, check if you have any at home first – it’s easy to forget what we’ve tidied away in drawers and cupboards! You’ll reduce your plastic by cutting down on the packaging these items are often wrapped in.

2) Look out for school supplies that come in plastic-free packaging, like single pencils, erasers and pens.

3) Buy pencils made of wood instead of mechanical pencils, which are often made (and packaged in) plastic.

4) If it’s okay with your teacher, use coloured pencils or crayons instead of highlighters.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Plastic Pollution Primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!


In the cafeteria!

Why not wrap your lunch and snacks in paper instead of plastic?

1) Instead of packing your lunch in plastic bags, use reusable containers, cloth sacks or beeswax wrappers.

2) For snacks at break and treats at lunch, ask your parents to buy things like nuts, cereal and dried fruit in bulk. You can store them in glass jars for when you need them – this way, you’ll avoid the plastic-packaging that individual snacks come in. Fab!

3) You can also simply pack a piece of fruit as a snack, such as an apple, banana, or orange — no plastic wrapping necessary!

4) Rather than buying bottles of water or juice, carry your water or squash in a reusable flask.

5) If your school isn’t already recycling plastic bottles and utensils, talk to your teachers about how to start. Why not ask about setting up an eco-club with your classmates to make your school a greener place?


In your classroom!

You could speak to your teacher about a class litter-picking trip!

1) Ask your teacher to plan a class trip to the local landfill or a nearby pond. Seeing the rubbish there can help convince your friends to take action, too!

2) When you bring birthday treats to class, ask your parents to bring reusable cutlery, plates and cups instead of plastic. If your’e handing out birthday goodies, give homemade fudge or biscuits instead of plastic wrapped sweets and chocolate.

3) Finally, share this page with your teacher so they can share it with other students and parents!


To get to the bottom of the problem with plastic, head to our fascinating feature all about plastic pollution…


Did you enjoy learning about how to reduce your plastic when you go back to school? Do you have any tips yourself? Leave a comment below and let us know!


Photo credit
Pencils photo – Pixabay
Lunchbox photo – Pexels
Like icon Likes

LEAVE A COMMENT

THANK YOU

Your comment will be checked and approved shortly.

WELL DONE,
YOUR COMMENT
HAS BEEN ADDED!

COMMENTS

  • Christopher

    Cool

  • Jer

    Let’s take the action bro!

  • ahe

    so COOL

  • Dragonz2045

    Im gonna do it to!!!!!

  • Gifty Oye Amoako

    Thank you for your vital information about how to reduce the amount of plastic items. We all have a role to play in making our planet a greener place.

  • Mya

    Save the beautiful Animals

  • sc

    Let's take action!

  • Nature Girl

    Love this! I will try it right now!

  • That cool i am going to use that

  • Tom Dailey

    I decide to take action right now!

  • Tom Dailey

    I am a reader in Nanjing,capital of Jiangsu Province,China.In this city,plastic pollution is very serious.Afterrible reading this article,I decide to take action right now! To make our city more beautiful!!!!

  • Sienna

    This is very safe. And ur saving the planet

  • Ostwindlover123

    I love these ideas!!! They are so cool

  • Vandana

    I lern how to reduce plastic

  • Abhinav Renjith

    I collect plastic bottles to save earth

  • VictoriaY

    I love this article!

  • Let's take action

  • plasticisbadforearth

    Lets do this

  • Mia

    I agree, so LETS TAKE ACTION!!!

  • COP26

    THESE THINGS REALLY CONVINCE ME TO TAKE GOOD ACTIONS!

  • cool!

  • ted baker

    Thank you this really gave me some good ideas

  • leanie

    Cool!

  • Tarun singh

    I love the environment so am going to try it out today.

  • Babouchka

    COOL !

  • steph

    let's make our school a better place!

  • Amy Wattson

    I love this

  • Amy

    I love this I will share and tell ALL of my teacher and friend..ohh they have replied to the email that I've sent them on this, they said that it was GREAT!

  • Skater girl

    We should bring big companies together and stop plastic pollution

  • Great!

  • Escher

    I use bamboo straws, wooden pencils, beeswax wraps and we walk to school.

  • Boyd

    This is really good

More Like General Kids Club

General Kids Club
6 helpful tips on how to stop bullying

6 helpful tips on how to stop bullying

Bullying happens to lots of different people but that doesn’t make it any less hurtful
General Kids Club
Frankie’s fight to save rhinos!

Frankie’s fight to save rhinos!

The six-year-old has planned a project to help protect the world’s rarest rhinos…
General Kids Club
Addy’s mission to save gorillas!

Addy’s mission to save gorillas!

Meet the 11-year-old girl raising awareness for great apes…
General Kids Club
NG KiDS’ Junior Adventures Blog

NG KiDS’ Junior Adventures Blog

Pepeijn and Romeq are living life on the road, exploring the world one country at a time!
National Geographic Kids Logo

    Sign up to our newsletter

    Get uplifting news, exclusive offers, inspiring stories and activities to help you and your family
    explore and learn delivered straight to your inbox.

    You will receive our UK newsletter. Change region

    WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

    Done

    By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and will receive emails from us about news, offers, activities and partner offers.

    You're all signed up!


    Back to subscription site

    Type whatever you want to search