Somerset Council’s Schools Against Waste (SAW) programme has reached a major milestone after completing its 500th school visit at Priddy & St Lawrence’s Federation school.
Delivered by Carymoor Environmental Trust on behalf of Somerset Council, the programme provides practical, curriculum-linked environmental education in primary schools across Somerset. Helping thousands of children across the county learn more about reducing waste, reusing materials and recycling effectively.
Since launching in 2018, the SAW team has visited more than 200 primary schools, delivered more than 1,000 workshops and engaged more than 71,000 children.
Most Somerset primary schools are eligible for a free half-day visit featuring a ‘Talking Rubbish’ assembly and two one-hour workshops covering themes such as food waste, plastics, composting and the 3Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Environment and Climate Change at Somerset Council said: “As a parent, I know how important these sessions are. My children have come home and taught me about recycling; they now help us as a family with this weekly.
“The Schools Against Waste programme has played an important role to reduce waste and disposal costs for more than 8 years. Around 41% of the contents of the average Somerset rubbish bin could be recycled at the kerbside. By working with local charity, Carymoor Environmental Trust, we’re engaging children in a fun, inspiring way while encouraging waste reduction, reuse and better recycling habits.”
Kate Oliver Carymoor Environmental Trust’s Education Officer said: “It is a privilege to help young learners understand how small actions can make a big difference. These visits are about more than recycling; they inspire the next generation to care for the world around them.”
Feedback from schools highlights the sessions as hands-on, engaging and memorable, helping pupils take environmental messages back into the classroom, wider school community and home.
The project is free to most Somerset primary schools through Somerset Council funding, with paid visits also available for schools that use a different waste collection provider.
