Schools aim to drive down food waste (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon schools aim to drive down food waste after successful trial

6:00am Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Chris Baynes, Reporter

Primary schools are bidding to recycle more than 150 tonnes of food waste over the next 12 months with the expansion of a new recycling scheme.

Fifty Croydon primaries will take part after the success of a pilot project trialled by four schools in the last 12 weeks. 

David Livingstone, Monks Orchard, Parish and Forestdale schools collected nearly three tonnes of food waste during the trial period.

Croydon council says the scheme will prevent hundreds of tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide emissions, as well as cutting landfill costs and saving taxpayers about £15,000 per year.

It is hopedinte the scheme will also allow schools to make savings.

Councillor Phil Thomas, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, said: “It’s vital that we get people into the recycling habit from an early age, so this project won’t just save us money now, but for years into the future.”

David Morgan, head of Parish Junior School, said: “This should be an aim for all schools as part of their green commitment.”