At first glance, your school might seem quite clean and like they don't need any detailed rubbish management plan. However, the average secondary school can produce as much as 22kg of waste per student during the academic year. Such waste includes food, paper, school supplies and toys.

With this large number in mind, you can imagine just how much is spent on rubbish disposal during any given year. Analysing how much you spend on waste management can help you get a sobering picture of the resources consumed during garbage disposal.

To help you save on costs, here are 4 rubbish management tips you should consider moving forward.

Use reusable dishware for lunch

Single-use plates and cups can cause you to pile up lots of trash within a short period. A better approach is to use reusable dishware for serving lunch. There are many alternatives to glass plates if you're concerned about breakages. For example, consider thicker plasticware that can be easily washed and sanitised before every meal.

The relative cost of cleaning dishes vs purchasing disposable ones is comparable over a long period. If you can't get reusable plates and cups, consider using plastic trays and silverware. These are easy to clean and prepare for the next meal.

Clearly label waste disposal bins

Rubbish management is a lot easier if waste is thrown in the right place. By having all trash in the correct trash cans, you can spend less time collecting garbage in preparation for trash day. An easy way of doing this is by using clearly labelled waste disposal bins.

Every classroom should have one, and they should be placed strategically along hallways, in playgrounds and in the lunch area. You can also make waste disposal fun by using brightly coloured bins and unique shapes.  

Find out what children like to eat

Another excellent strategy for making waste management easier is reducing how much food children throw away. Many kids are picky eaters and may be quick to dispose of what they don't like. You can address this challenge by implementing menu adjustments regularly.

Seek feedback from students regarding what they like, and incorporate these changes strategically. For example, you can provide students with options during lunch so they can pick what they prefer as opposed to being served the same meal.

Reduce paper wastage

Many schools are notorious for using too much paper. You can reduce paper consumption and encourage recycling in many different ways. For example, encourage double-sided printing, have dedicated bins for paper disposal, and encourage digital submissions for assignments instead of collecting hard copies.  

To learn more, contact a company that offers rubbish removal services.