Espoo increases waste sorting in schools

Waste sorting helps us use resources wisely. When different types of waste are sorted into their own bins, they can be recycled and turned into new products. This reduces the need for new natural resources. Espoo is committed to achieving both carbon neutrality by 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2025, and increasing the recycling rate is an important part of achieving both of these goals.

Increasing waste sorting in schools is particularly important. The initiative was launched in 2019 when eleven schools in Espoo started sorting waste on a larger scale as part of a pilot project. Today, 39 schools collect at least mixed waste, biowaste, cardboard and plastic, and during 2023 and 2024, the rest of Espoo’s comprehensive schools that are able to increase waste sorting will do so and acquire the appropriate bins as part of the ‘Myötätuulta ja turbulenssia’ project. In the coming months, the Closed Plastic Circle – from Pilots into Practice project will allow us to study the quantities of waste generated by schools in more detail. The Premises Department, operating under the Urban Environment Sector, is responsible for waste management and recycling in schools.

You may wonder why sorting bins are not available in every school, even though residents are encouraged to sort their waste. We should keep in mind that sorting is just a means to an end, which is to reduce emissions and use resources wisely. In other words, recycling may not be a viable option if the environmental impact of collecting and processing different types of waste outweighs the benefits gained from recycling them.

“At the end of the day, schools do not produce much separately collected waste other than paper, and Espoo schools have collected their paper waste for a long time. Plastic, glass, metal and biowaste are mainly generated by home economics classes and school kitchens,” says Anitta Myllynen from Espoo’s Premises Department.

Schools tend to prioritise the educational perspective when making decisions about waste sorting.

“Waste sorting is a simple way to teach pupils about the circular economy, consumption and natural resources. Waste does not just disappear; it leaves a mark. Pupils gain knowledge and learn values and skills at school, and waste sorting shows them how to have a positive impact on the environment,” explains Maria Malmsten from the ‘Myötätuulta ja turbulenssia’ project.

“Teaching pupils to sort waste is beneficial in many ways: Children can impart their sorting knowledge and motivation to their families. Children are also the household waste sorters, consumers, and entrepreneurs of the future,” says Outi Jounila from the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development in Espoo.

Increasing waste sorting also requires a great deal of cooperation: new sorting bins must be fitted into the school’s waste collection point, and rules must be set up as to who empties which bin and how often. We also have to get the entire school staff and pupils to commit themselves to sorting because waste that ends up in the wrong bin can prevent the whole batch from being recycled, and that, if anything, is a waste of resources.

Waste sorting in schools is currently promoted through two projects.

The ‘Myötätuulta ja turbulenssia’ project offers all Espoo schools the opportunity to increase their waste sorting. In addition, the project aims to strengthen the teaching staff’s competence in sustainability education by providing training, workshops and support material. The project also promotes the creation of sustainable operating models, such as networking between teachers and strengthening sustainability structures in schools. The project started in April 2023 and will run until the end of November 2024.

“Sustainability education is often seen as a separate entity and as an addition to the daily curriculum, although in reality each subject can be explored from the perspective of sustainability,” explains Project Coordinator Maria Malmsten.

New data on waste sorting is collected through the Closed Plastic Circle – from Pilots into Practice project. Until now, we have only had theoretical information about the quantities of waste generated by schools: we know how many bins there are, how often they are emptied and what their theoretical weight is at the time of emptying. In reality, however, bins may be emptied when they are half-empty or overflowing. More accurate information on the actual quantities of waste will help us optimise the emptying frequency of bins and the number of bins needed for different types of waste. Such data would also help us assess additional measures needed to increase waste sorting. In the project, the actual quantities of mixed and plastic waste are measured through sensors attached to bin covers in three pilot schools: Aarnivalkean koulu, Ruusutorpan koulu and Karhusuon koulu.

“We need up-to-date and site-specific information on the types of waste generated by schools to be able to form a clear picture of the situation and create an appropriate recycling system. We hope that the results from the three pilot schools will help other schools assess their own needs,” says Outi Jounila from the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development.

The Growth and Learning Sector is responsible for the education of children and young people. The sector aims to introduce children to environmental issues from the very beginning of their learning path. The sector offers age-appropriate education that provides all learners with the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. Children and young people also participate in conceiving new ways to carry out sustainable activities. This way, children learn to respect nature, make sustainable choices, and develop environmental skills.

How sustainable development is taught in Espoo: Sustainable development goals as an integral part of the learning path of children and young people

See the file below for numeric data on waste management in Espoo schools (in Finnish).