Teach children about sustainability and help them play a role in a circular economy

Sustainability should be embedded throughout the national curriculum if we are to equip students for life and work in the future, according to North London Waste Authority (NLWA). NLWA sets out its views in response to the government’s call for evidence for a curriculum and assessment review. NLWA calls for a robust focus on sustainability, including waste management and the circular economy, from an early age so that students have full understanding of their impact on the environment. NLWA is also advocating for the government to consider developing vocational qualifications that focus on the green economy, allowing students to gain practical skills for careers in waste management, recycling, and sustainable industries.

Councillor Clyde Loakes MBE, Chair of NLWA, highlighted the importance of integrating environmental responsibility into key subjects across the curriculum.

“Embedding waste reduction and sustainability into the national curriculum not only supports the government’s environmental goals but will also empower students with the skills needed to contribute to a circular economy. We have seen the success of integrating sustainability into our educational outreach and believe it is essential that the government takes bold steps to support this on a national level. If we teach students to understand and act on these principles, we will help them to preserve resources and the environment today and for future generations. NLWA looks forward to the outcomes of the consultation and is keen to continue working alongside government and educational bodies to shape a sustainable future.”

NLWA’s own initiatives, such as the In the Know programme, which currently engages 2,500 students in north London, have shown the positive impact of incorporating waste education into the school environment. Early findings from waste audits conducted as part of the programme reveal that food waste is the largest contributor to school waste, representing nearly 40% of all rubbish, offering valuable insights into targeted waste reduction efforts. This reinforces the need for curriculum reform that prioritises waste prevention and sustainability as core elements of learning.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, NLWA’s future initiatives, including a state-of-the-art educational centre at Edmonton EcoPark, will provide further opportunities to engage students and communities with waste management and environmental education.