Having a sustainable classroom is one of the best ways to show students how to live a more eco conscious life. A sustainable classroom also helps to reinforce the importance of understanding science and how we are a part of our ecosystem. As educators, we have the unique opportunity to instill eco-friendly habits in our students, shaping the future generations of community members.
Let’s learn more about how to create a sustainable classroom with sustainable classroom ideas you’ll love for this school year!
What is a Sustainable Classroom?
A sustainable classroom is one that actively incorporates environmentally friendly practices into its daily routine. This means reducing waste, conserving resources, and teaching students about the importance of sustainability. By making small changes, educators can create a classroom that not only benefits the environment but also serves as a model for students.
Here’s exactly how to create a sustainable classroom you’ll be obsessed with this school year!
Set Up a Recycling Bin Station
Make sure to set up a recycling station in your classroom! Place recycling bins in your classroom with clear signs about what materials are recyclable. Before you create your recycling signs, make sure to check with your local recycling center to know what is recyclable at your school. This may even be different than what you are allowed to recycle at home! Depending on the recycling hauler your school uses, only certain items may be considered recyclable materials.
Based on what your school recycling hauler will accept, encourage students to place those items in the recycling bin. This simple step can significantly reduce waste. I’ve found that students really start to understand recycling, just by becoming familiar the habit of recycling. It also makes them think twice about the materials they choose and what happens after it goes into the bin.
Create a Composting Station
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, compost is decomposed organic material made from food, leaves, and other materials (source).
Set up a composting station with clear instructions on what is compostable. Use signage to show exactly what food waste can be composted. If necessary, also post signage about what cannot be composted.
Teach students about the benefits of composting and how it helps reduce landfill waste. According to data, the number of food scraps composted continues to be significantly lower than the amount of food that is sent to landfills (source).
Here are some benefits of composting (source):
- keeps food out of landfills which creates methane, a greenhouse gas
- compost can be used in a garden to recycle nutrients back into the soil
- improves soil health
- helps soil’s ability to store carbon
- reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides
Composting can also be a fun hands-on activity for students. I have a great activity where students can incorporate reusable plastic bottles to show the power of composting!
Related Post: Making Composting Understandable For Kids
Include Live Plants in the Classroom
There is no better way to create a green classroom than actually adding some green! Live plants can improve air quality and create a calming atmosphere. Choose easy-to-care-for plants and involve students in their care. This can also be a great way to teach students about plant life cycles and photosynthesis.
Taking care of the plants is also a great task for a student job. Students can use the plants as a year-long experiment to understand the impact of natural light on plants by placing them in different classroom areas and noting their growth throughout the year!
Make a Hydroponic Garden in the Classroom
Hydroponic gardens use water instead of soil to grow plants! The nutrient-rich water provides plants with essential nutrients directly (source).
They are a great addition to your sustainable classroom because they help to teach students about alternative farming methods and the importance of sustainable agriculture. This provides a good example of eco practices for a sustainable future. Plus, they can be set up indoors, making them perfect for classrooms.
Laminate Without Plastic
Traditional laminating uses plastic, which isn’t biodegradable. While I understand sometimes that is unavoidable, not everything needs to be laminated with plastic. Here is one of my favorite ways to laminate without the plastic!
Make Recyclable Art Projects
Art projects often involve materials that end up in the trash. Opt for recyclable or reusable materials like paper, cardboard, and natural items. Encourage students to think creatively about how they can repurpose materials.
Choose Sustainable School Supplies
When purchasing school supplies, opt for eco-friendly options such as recycled paper, non-toxic markers, and refillable pens. Every small choice adds up to make a big difference.
Related Post: The Most Eco Friendly School Supplies For This Year
Create a Green Club
Start a green club where students can take the lead in promoting sustainability within the school!
Students can organize events, educate other students, and come up with new ideas for going green. Typically green clubs are instrumental in helping to promote new environmental initiatives within the school. You can help them find grants to help support new projects and also encourage them to find new ways to share environmental knowledge with other students.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Many cleaning products contain harmful chemicals. Switch to eco-friendly alternatives that are safe for both students and the environment.
Related Post: The Best Sustainable Cleaning Products To Make Your Home Smell Incredible Without The Toxins
Start an Outdoor Garden
If you have the space, start an outdoor garden where students can grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. This hands-on activity teaches students about gardening, responsibility, and the importance of local food sources.
Replace Water Fountains with Refill Stations
Do you have water refill stations at your school? If not, you can make this a goal for the school year! Research grants for your school to get one of these refill stations installed. You can then encourage students to bring reusable water bottles and replace traditional water fountains with water refill stations. This reduces plastic waste and encourages hydration.
Have Students Calculate Their Carbon Footprint
Teach students about their carbon footprint and how they can reduce it. Many online tools can help students calculate their carbon footprint and learn about ways to minimize it.
This is a carbon footprint tracker from EPA!
Do a Waste Audit
Conduct a waste audit to see how much waste your classroom produces. This can be a great starting point for finding ways to reduce waste and increase recycling.
I’ve included a waste audit in my environmental journal packet to extend this activity and make it a home assignment as well!
Raise Butterflies
Raising butterflies can be a fascinating project that teaches students about life cycles and the importance of pollinators.
Using this butterfly garden kit was so helpful for us! We were able to bring outside inside to show my students nature up close!
I love that this kit provides a hands-on experience and allows the kids to actually take care o the caterpillars as they watch them grow. The materials for this project are all included and actually work!
Bring an Aquarium In The Classroom
Having an aquarium in your classroom is a great way to make your classroom more sustainable because it is a great way to showcase life cycles, habitats, and environmental conservation. A classroom aquarium also teaches responsibility and care as well as observational skills. An additional benefit to the aquarium in your sustainable classroom is that watching fish actually has a calming effect and increases focus!
Here is an aquarium kit I’ve used! It is large enough for baby goldfish/beta fish and gives a little room for plant decorations.
Visit Your Local Recycling Center
Organize a field trip to your local recycling center to give students a first-hand look at how recycling works. It’s an eye-opening experience that can reinforce the importance of recycling.
Host a STEM Fair
Encourage students to create projects that focus on sustainable science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This can inspire innovative thinking and problem-solving.
Add Rain Barrels
Install rain barrels to collect rainwater for watering plants. This teaches students about water conservation and provides a practical application of sustainable practices.
Teach About the Importance of Pollinators
Educate students about the crucial role pollinators play in our ecosystem! Pollinaotrs are vital to flowering plants and our food crops. This is because pollinators transfer pollen from flower to flower for fertilization.
Pollinators are also keystone species (source). Their survival is crucial to our ecosystem and the food we eat!
You can create a pollinator-friendly garden with plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
I love this video about pollinators to talk to kids about how important they are!
Invite Guest Speakers Who Specialize in Environmental Education
Guest speakers are a great way to show students about STEM careers and the importance of environmental educator. As an environmental educator I speak often at school events and find these guest speaker worksheets to be very helpful for students. They help the students engage in the presentation, reflect on the experience and have questions to ask.
Related Post: Proven Guest Speaker Worksheets That Will Keep Your Students Engaged
Benefits of Creating a More Sustainable Classroom
Making your classroom more sustainable has significant positive impacts on the environment and educates students on the importance of sustainability. Here are some key benefits:
- Environmental Impact: Reduces waste, conserves resources, and promotes eco-friendly practices.
- Educational Value: Provides hands-on learning experiences and teaches students responsibility and environmental stewardship.
- Community Building: Fosters a sense of community among students, encouraging teamwork and collective action towards a common goal.
- Health Benefits: Improves air quality and creates a healthier, more inviting classroom environment.
By implementing these strategies, you can create a more sustainable classroom environment and inspire your students to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives.
Ready to take the first step towards a sustainable classroom? I hope you enjoyed this blog post about sustainable classroom ideas for the new school year!
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