Swings + Roundabouts Spring 2020

● Boil only the amount of water needed. ● Close doors and windows when heating/ cooling rooms, though remember to leave gaps for fresh air. ● Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient ones. ● Insulate the hot water tank, roof and walls, and draught-proof windows and doors. ● Switching the centre’s energy provider to one that only provides from renewable sources, making your centre 100% zero carbon energy immediately! ZERO WASTE: Reduce, re-use, repurpose, recycle! Reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by: ● Place recycling bins in prominent places in each classroom and show the children how to use them. ● Show them photos and footage of landfill sites. ● Consider buying locally sourced food delivered in reusable sacks or boxes – this tackles the waste issue and reduces carbon emissions with food being transported over shorter distances. ● Introduce a worm farm and composting bins for food waste that the children can get involved with. ● Consider using or encourage the use of biodegradable or reusable nappies. LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD: ● Food makes up an incredible 25% of our total environmental impact per person, so any change made in purchasing food makes a huge difference. ● Source local organic food deliveries contained in reusable bags to eliminate packaging completely. ● Establish a seasonal vegetable garden. Your children and teachers harvest and enjoy the produce, with the scraps being placed into a worm farm and/or composting bins which the children help to look after. SUSTAINABLE WATER We have all felt the impact of warmer summers and drier winters over the last few years. To help save water: ● Turn taps off as soon as they are no longer needed. ● Install rainwater tanks for irrigation and divert roof water into them, instead of wasting it down the drains – for tight spaces there are now thin tanks which can be useful https://thintanks.co.nz/ ● When installing/replacing taps or toilet fittings in your centre choose high WELS rated fittings. Many of the early childhood suitable push taps can achieve the highest WELS rating due to their automatic shut- off. LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS: ● Investigate with your children where specific toys come from, how and who makes them. ● Use certified sustainable lead free and child labour free resources e.g. Environmental Choice NZ and www. childlaborfree.com . ● Organise ‘Bring and Buy’ sales to recycle toys, games and books. ● When re-carpeting or re-painting your Use natural and sustainably sourced resources, House of Wonders - Cambridge September 2020 { 33 }