Pupils undertook a number of projects to try to reduce single-use plastics at the school:

• Year 5 pupils conducted a school-wide plastics audit which then helped them to investigate ways to reduce single-use plastic in school – to help earn the school the coveted Surfers Against Sewage Plastic-Free School Award.
• Year 5 pupils have also completed two Trash Mobs – picking and sorting litter in the school playground.
• Year 2 wrote to politicians to ask how we can reduce and/or recycle the need for Tetrapak milk cartons at school.
• Year 1 pupils wrote to supermarkets to ask what action they are taking to reduce plastic that ultimately ends up in the oceans.
• The Reception class have been learning about how plastic adversely affects ocean life.

Alternative options to single-use plastic

As part of their efforts to gain Plastic-Free status, Year 5 pupils identified single-use plastic items around the school that could be removed or replaced with more sustainable options.

In the school kitchen:

• Single-use plastic pudding cups have been removed. All puddings are now served in reusable melamine bowls.
• Large yoghurt containers are being used to replace individual yoghurt pots. Yoghurt is now also served in reusable melamine bowls.
• Reusable plastic containers with lids are being used to reduce the use of cling film.

Elsewhere:

• Large containers of hand soap are being used to refill small single-use hand soap containers, repurposing the small containers to become longer use items.
• All pupils will be issued with a long-life reusable plastic water bottle with the school logo embossed on it.