It’s not rubbish! Kingussie High School set to show just how recycling’s done
Badenoch’s secondary school is set to trial the serving of lunch items in re-usable containers to help it cut down on waste.
Single use packaging from Kingussie High School's canteen accounts for some nine per cent of the rubbish generated at the 400-pupil school every year.
The trial is due to start in September and could potentially be the first of its kind in the country.
Head teacher Gavin Murphy told the Strathy: “I am excited to be introducing a new re-useable system this session. It is going to have a significantly positive impact on our waste production and disposal.”
He explained: “The pupils supported a thorough waste audit last term and found many items of food packaging go into landfill.
“So rather than simply throwing away packaging that some food orders come in, such as cardboard containers for our pasta pots, we will be using a completely re-useable system.”
The pupils will be carefully educated in giving back the re-useable containers every break and lunch time through a scheme similar to the Tesco blue counters.
There will be three rewards to incentivise children to bring the containers back: a day out at Landmark; go-karting in Aviemore and outdoor activities at Loch Insh.
“Alongside this,” Mr Murphy explained, “we are introducing more recycling bins across the school to ensure we are doing our bit for the environment in aspiring to become an organisation which has a net carbon footprint of zero.
“The Catering, Climate & Energy and Waste Management teams at Highland Council have been wonderful in supporting this valuable work.”
Snacks such as sandwiches, toasties and burgers are available at Highland schools as well as larger sit-down meals.
Highland Council has been trying to increase recycling rates across its 300 properties, including offices, leisure centres and schools.
According to the report to next week's committee meeting, Kingussie pupils bin about five tonnes of waste at school every year, including food packaging.
The trial is to include new recycling facilities in the canteen, common rooms and playground area.
Some lunch items will be served in containers, which pupils are to return to the canteen for re-use.
The report said: "Early research indicates that the catering re-usables trial at Kingussie may be one of the first of its kind in schools across Scotland.
"This initiative provides an opportunity for the council to contribute to the development of more sustainable school catering practices and to share learning with other local authorities."