How To Make Your School More Eco-Friendly

Julie Starr • June 15, 2021



No matter whether you’re a pupil, a parent, or a teacher working at a school, coming up with ways to make the place more eco-friendly is important. Everyone needs to pull together to create a better planet, and what more perfect place could there be to do this than at a school, where children are learning all they need to about the world? 

  Yet coming up with these eco-friendly ideas can be harder than it seems. There are many different options, but not all will be suitable for a school. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways you can make your school more eco-friendly. 

Meat-Free Mondays 

Eating healthy is something all schools should be promoting anyway, and if you can tie it in with being eco-friendly, that makes it even better, and something that the children and teachers – and parents – can understand. 

If lunch is provided at the school, then one day a week (this is traditionally a Monday, but it could be any day) could focus on vegetarian or vegan dishes. If packed lunches are required, then set up a challenge for students to choose something without meat. 

Grow Your Own 

Following on from this idea, wouldn’t it be amazing for the school to grow all its own fruit and vegetables ? It would undoubtedly make meat-free Monday much easier, and if the children were involved as well and were responsible for taking care of the vegetable area, they would gain a fantastic understanding of where their food comes from. 

Learning about sustainability and growing their own food won’t just help them at school; it will give them ideas about how to do this in their adult lives as well. They might even be able to talk to their parents about it, and start a vegetable patch or similar at home. 

Playground Surfaces 

Depending on the type of school and what grades it caters for, there might have play equipment like jungle gyms and slides within the play areas. When it comes time for playground resurfacing (something that should be done regularly to ensure the play areas remain safe), you can use recycled materials such as old tires. This material will have been cleaned and shredded and then turned into surfacing for the play areas. This is recycling at its finest, and it will help to keep the children safe as well. 

Litter Picking 

Litter is a big problem when it comes to the environment, but there is something that can be done about it. What would happen if once a week the grades took it in turn – with adult supervision – to clean up the litter in the school’s local area? 

 

The difference would be amazing, and it would be noticeable. This would also teach the children how to be responsible for their own waste, especially around the school. This is an important life lesson. In addition to industry leading trailers, another solution is to use the best in a trailer which helps you with your waste collection and disposal efforts. These trailers can be filled with all the tools and bins you need to pick up that litter effectively and efficiently, in a clean and organized fashion. Schools can promote environmental stewardship by conducting regular litter cleanups with students, and for this to be successful, schools should provide students with the necessary equipment, as well as inform them of their positive impact on waste affecting our ecosystems.

 

  Eco-Friendly Supplies 

No matter what you might be supplying to the children at the school, whether it’s exercise books, pencils, crayons, or anything else, make sure it is eco-friendly. These eco-friendly products will then become an integral part of the child’s life, and they will become used to having them around, ensuring they make good choices in the future.

The Business Case for Sustainability: Communicating Your Strategy in an Evolving Landscape

By Julie Starr • February 17, 2025
A shifting political landscape can create uncertainty for businesses committed to sustainability, but one thing remains clear: the need for transparency and strategic communication has never been greater. As the federal government moves to roll back environmental and social policies, companies must proactively define their sustainability strategies, ensuring stakeholders—employees, customers, investors, and partners—understand their commitments and the business value they create. The Power of Clear Communication Sustainability is not a trend; it’s an imperative driven by economic, environmental, and social realities. Despite policy shifts, the forces of market demand, global regulation, and risk mitigation continue to push companies forward. To maintain momentum, organizations should : Clarify Their Sustainability Position: Companies must articulate their approach in ways that resonate with stakeholders. Whether reducing emissions, improving supply chain resilience, or advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, leaders should communicate clearly how these strategies align with long-term business success. Leverage Data-Driven Insights: In an era of skepticism, relying on factual, measurable sustainability outcomes strengthens credibility. Stakeholders need more than broad commitments—they need clear, quantifiable impacts. Maintain Focus on Global Markets: While federal policies may change, international regulations and customer expectations continue to favor sustainable business models. Companies operating across borders must ensure their sustainability strategies align with evolving global standards. Staying the Course in a Changing Environment While some companies may feel pressure to scale back sustainability efforts in response to shifting political winds, leading organizations recognize that progress is a long-term game. Now is not the time to retreat but to double down on: Resilient Supply Chains: With new tariffs and policy changes affecting imports, companies should evaluate how sustainability-driven supply chain diversification can reduce risk and enhance efficiency. Operational Decarbonization: The financial and strategic benefits of decarbonization—from renewable energy investments to energy-efficient operations—remain strong, independent of policy shifts. Workforce and Customer Engagement: Employees and consumers increasingly expect businesses to uphold their values. Companies that maintain commitments to social responsibility and environmental impact will strengthen brand loyalty and attract top talent. Sustainability leadership is about more than responding to regulatory shifts—it’s about defining the future. Companies that stay the course, communicate effectively, and align their sustainability strategies with business objectives will be the ones that thrive in the years ahead.

Connecting the Dots: Air Quality, Climate Messaging, and Stakeholder Engagement

By Julie Starr • February 7, 2025
I n a world increasingly affected by environmental change, it’s critical to recognize the everyday impacts of air pollution beyond the commonly cited respiratory and cardiovascular risks. A recent study, published in Nature Communications , reveals that even short-term exposure to air pollution can impair cognitive function, affecting focus, emotional recognition, and task performance. This groundbreaking research underscores the urgent need for effective climate communication and stakeholder engagement to address air quality issues. At Taiga Company, we specialize in climate-focused stakeholder engagement, helping organizations bridge the gap between scientific findings and actionable change. Our services provide a crucial platform for educating stakeholders—including businesses, policymakers, and communities—on the dangers of air pollution and the strategic steps needed to mitigate its effects.  The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function The study found that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter, even for just an hour, reduced participants' ability to maintain focus, process emotions accurately, and avoid distractions. Such cognitive impairments can have profound implications in workplace productivity, education, and public safety. For instance, employees working in environments with poor air quality may experience diminished concentration, leading to decreased efficiency and increased errors. Similarly, students exposed to air pollution may struggle with academic performance due to impaired attention and emotional regulation. These insights reinforce the idea that air pollution is not just an environmental concern but a societal and economic one, requiring a holistic approach to policy, corporate responsibility, and community engagement. The Role of Climate Messaging in Air Quality Awareness Despite overwhelming scientific evidence, public awareness of air pollution’s cognitive and behavioral impacts remains limited. This is where strategic climate messaging becomes essential. Effective communication can: Translate complex scientific research into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Drive policy advocacy by equipping decision-makers with data-backed arguments for stricter air quality regulations. Encourage behavioral change among businesses and individuals by highlighting solutions, such as cleaner transportation, sustainable energy sources, and indoor air quality improvements. However, simply disseminating information is not enough. Stakeholder engagement ensures that communities, businesses, and policymakers are not just informed but also motivated and equipped to take action. Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility The study’s findings make one thing clear: air pollution is not just an environmental issue—it’s a cognitive and social issue with wide-reaching consequences. As we navigate an increasingly complex climate landscape, it’s crucial to integrate air quality concerns into broader discussions on sustainability, health, and productivity. At Taiga Company, we believe that effective stakeholder engagement is the key to transforming awareness into action. By educating businesses, policymakers, and communities, we can drive the changes necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. To learn more about how Taiga Company can help your organization develop impactful climate communication and stakeholder engagement strategies, contact us today.
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