Creating a Circular Economy in Your Nursery
Author: Nick Corlett
Sustainability Manager at LEYF
Sustainability is more than a trend—it’s a shared responsibility, and the nursery is the perfect place to nurture these skills. Every day approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into our oceans; this alarming statistic reminds us of the urgent need to rethink how we manage resources. By adopting the principles of reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling, nurseries can minimise waste and contribute to a healthier planet. Here’s how to build a circular economy within your nursery environment.
Reduce: Start by Questioning the Need
The first step in waste reduction is to evaluate what enters the nursery.
- Work with procurement providers to minimise unnecessary packaging, such as excess plastic or paper.
- Transition to digital alternatives like online catalogues to reduce paper waste.
- Encourage minimalism in the materials and resources brought into the nursery to lower the amount of waste destined for landfills.
Reuse: Find Creative Second Lives
Recycling isn’t the only way to extend the life of resources, and creativity can unlock new uses for old items!
- Review recycling bins weekly to identify items that can be reused in room setups or provocations.
- Repurpose items: old containers can become planters, or scrap paper can find new life in art projects.
- Aim to keep materials circulating within the nursery environment to minimise external waste.
Repair: Extend Life Where Possible
Repairing resources is a simple yet powerful way to delay disposal.
- Fix broken furniture, toys, and other items to maximise their usability – put toy resource checks into your daily room checks so they are able to be repaired before they finally break beyond repair.
- Involve children in repair projects to teach them valuable skills and instil respect for materials.
Recycle: The Last Resort
Recycling is essential, but it should be the final option after reducing, reusing, and repairing.
- Ensure items that have reached the end of their usability are recycled through local programs.
- Educate staff and children on proper recycling practices to increase effectiveness.
Waste Reduction: Be Creative!
- Woodworking: Repurpose scrap wood into new creations at the woodworking bench. It’s a fun and practical way to teach children about resourcefulness, as well as helping them to develop valuable life skills.
- Firepits: Use wood that cannot be repurposed in a firepit. The remaining charcoal can serve as a unique art medium, offering children new ways to express creativity. (Always remove nails or metal before burning.)
- Wormeries and Tumble Composters: Manage food scraps effectively with wormeries or composters. A well-maintained wormery can process 2-3 kilograms of food waste per week, moving closer to zero food waste.
A Shared Responsibility
By integrating these practices into daily routines, nurseries can significantly reduce their environmental footprint. Every step—rethinking deliveries, repairing broken items, or reusing old items creatively, helps create a sustainable world for the children we care for.
Remember: Sustainability starts with intention. Let’s ensure that what goes in doesn’t have to go out, and together, we can build a greener future!
