Education is key to the sustainability agenda

Waste policy is an important element in the wider issue of achieving sustainability, which is so vital to the future of the human race. In the communication of the sustainability message there is much controversy about the precise timescales for a predicted set of dire consequences of any failure to acknowledge the need for radical change.

Paul Van Danzig is sales and marketing director at Wastepack

These arguments about timescales can be a major distraction to delivering the core message. Whatever the timescale there are finite limits to the resources on our planet and managing this issue successfully will require everyone's understanding and support.

We feel therefore that the issue of sustainability should be as important in our education process as maths, language and science and it should be taught as a core subject at all levels from primary onwards.

The waste management industry can play an important part in developing this new approach, as the specifics of the processes we deal with, from re-use to landfill, provide familiar and tangible everyday examples of the importance of building a sustainable future and ways in which this can be achieved.

Building sustainability into our educational system

There is plenty of evidence that children and young people can quickly develop an interest in recycling with the right stimulus and often become advocates in their own homes. A tremendous amount of good work is done in this area by teachers and by external voluntary organisations and businesses. However we feel that even more could be achieved within a more determined and structured approach. Defra could work with other government departments to create this.

Sustainability should be a core element within the primary school curriculum. A GCSE in Sustainability should be established. The subject should also be included within the A Level and International Baccalaureate structures, both as a separate subject in its own right and as a module within other subjects such as General Studies and Science.

There have been some encouraging developments in higher education with the expansion in choice of environmental degrees in universities. There is also a need for more diploma level courses such as the Certificate in Recycling for Sustainability developed by Middlesex University with Wastepack funding. An advantage of this qualification for mature students is that it is based on workplace learning. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management already offers a variety of high quality programmes. All such initiatives should be encouraged and expanded.

Schools, universities and other educational bodies should themselves set very high standards in their own premises in areas such as re-use, recycling and energy saving. The students can play a significant part in this. School sustainability achievement could be measured within the OFSTED review process. Simple checks could be developed that would enable inspectors to review the basics without extensive additional training.

At the same time businesses should be encouraged to perform a more structured role. Defra might take the initiative by bringing together organisations such as CIWM, ESA and CBI to lead new initiatives. Facility visits and interesting presentations by external organisations within schools should be standard elements in the curriculum.

New recycling plants might be required, subject to health and safety issues, to incorporate educational visit facilities for all ages in order to obtain planning permission.

Extra-curricular activities could also play an important part. The Scouting and Guiding Movements would be among the obvious starting points, with the inclusion of a sustainability badge that participants could work to achieve.

There could also be scope for an involvement with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme. There will be many other opportunities for involving a wide range of voluntary bodies.

The opportunity

Building knowledge will influence individual behaviour as well as understanding and support for public policy in this vital area. A programme such as we have outlined would also attract talented students into seeking careers in sustainability.

There is a great opportunity for Defra and the waste management industry to work together and take a lead in shaping our national attitude to sustainability. Wastepack would be very willing to play a part in this process.