Parliament Workbench

Petition · PE01437 · Session 4

Recycling in Schools

Closed Submitted 28 Jun 2012 Environment & Energy
Signatures
0
199 online signatures with a country
Comments
12
Considered
2 meetings
in the Official Report

What it asks

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to ensure the provision of recycling facilities within school playgrounds is mandatory. In addition to call for a national survey of in school practice and teaching on reduce, reuse and recycle to ensure current best practice becomes the standard practice.

What the petitioner did first

I have spoken to various local councillors and MSPs on the issue. MSP Richard Lyle hopes to speak about the proposal at a future RACCE committee meeting. However, although this is welcome I believe wider awareness and debate is essential. I have also spoken to officials who have confirmed my views that the practice and teaching of reduce, reuse, recycle in schools is inconsistent and generally poor.
Groups and individuals with an interest in the subject have also been approached. Again they have been very supportive, but as this is a national issue it needs a wider platform than is provided by discussion between local activists, it needs truly public consideration. Teachers, parents, NGOs and children themselves need to share their experience and views.
I am aware that there are proposed regulations which may require better provision of recycling facilities in schools, but I suspect they may not go far enough and there will be attempts in some quarters to reduce their potency. Given how we are already suffering from the consequences of inadequate education and practice of the 3Rs then we cannot afford anything less than the highest standards. There is also a desperate need for a national survey to enable best practice to become the standard.

Where it was considered

Official Report
  1. 30 Oct 2012
    Public Petitions Committee
    New Petition
    1 mention
  2. 8 Jan 2013
    Public Petitions Committee
    Current Petitions
    1 mention

Signatures by country

199 online signatures
  1. Scotland145 72.9%
  2. United Kingdom44 22.1%
  3. England6 3%
  4. Wales2 1%
  5. United States1 0.5%
  6. Austria1 0.5%

Comments

12 comments, oldest first
  1. Andrew Llanwarne 5 Jul 2012
    This is a very worthwhile objective, which should be extended to colleges and university campuses as well.
  2. Alan Speedie 5 Jul 2012
    Eco-Schools success has demonstrated how a bit of pressure (statutory performance measure) can work wonders. A similar push on recycling would be well worthwhile, making recycling the default choice for life
  3. Sally Gallagher 9 Jul 2012
    As a retired teacher, I am in full agreement that education should play a greater part in learning about recycling
    - the younger the child the better. How to keep the recycling bins in the playground in a hygienic state ( ie clean lids) could be an issue, however.
  4. Quentin 9 Jul 2012
    Zero instances of Litter is the objective of the new campaign at www.Zilch.org.uk and so we fully support this initiative.
  5. Christine Bell 11 Jul 2012
    Every opportunity to educate and take practical action towards changing attitudes towards the three 'r's should be grasped by all!
  6. Cat Newsheller 16 Jul 2012
    Please provide recycling in the schools. It is only through early education that the sort of messes we see now will be prevented. Children influence their parents hugely!
  7. Arthur Berg 19 Jul 2012
    This issue cuts not only to the way people dispose of things, but also how we go about manufacturing consumable materials and packaging. Education allows an ongoing message to be embedded with the next generation of consumers, and so is of critical importance. Much recycle, reduce and re-use education in the late 1990s and early 2000's was funded by Landfill Tax Credit scheme, but Central government took away that category from the scheme. Perhaps an independant or heavily devloved Scottish Government should consider re-instating Category c and cc to the LCF as a proven and sustainable funding mechanism.
  8. Mary Holligan 25 Jul 2012
    I really hope that this changes behaviour and attitudes in Scotland. I am looking forward to schools promoting the 3 Rs and a cleaner environment.
  9. Markus Hiemann 30 Aug 2012
    Teach sustainability early and we may just have a chance.
  10. Glen Elliott 3 Sep 2012
    This generation will teach the next, and the next, that recycling is simple and necessary and virtually effortless. As a child it was ingrained in us "Be A Tidy Kiwi" and it was us children that taught our parents that it was unacceptable to throw rubbish out the car window. NZ is a better place for it.
  11. Stephen Duff 13 Sep 2012
    Teaching and exemplifying what should be matters
    - let's make sure our schools are definitely included, but not stop there...
  12. sonia mclay 16 Sep 2012
    Litter is so unnecessary and affect wildlife
    how would you like it if people dumped their litter in your garden