Department Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development

ZW@S – Zero Waste at Schools

Project timeline: February 2018 – February 2022

This project focuses on moving toward a “zero-waste” approach at school level as module unit, engaging teachers and our future generation – the students – by connecting them to researchers of sustainable development and exploring and implementing closed-loop approaches. A large portfolio of approaches and techniques exist to manage waste. Together they can form a holistic solution to achieve “Zero-waste management”. Composting can convert organic waste to fertilizer for its use in school gardens. Organic waste can be processed to feed, for chicken or fish. Biogas systems can generate a renewable fuel resource for cooking or electricity. Simple technologies can repurpose or reprocess plastic waste to new innovative products.

The ZW@S project gives evidence on how a zero waste approach can be planned and implemented inclose partnership with schools and supported by applied research with respective tools and methods. The main objectives are:

• Develop and link environmental awareness and learning of students to “real” practice and application of recycling at school level.
• Advance life skills of students, as well as involve families and communities, governments and institutions to work together to improve waste, hygiene, water and sanitation.
• Explore and implement cost savings through recycling (water, energy, nutrients).
• Assess the impact of increased student knowledge, awareness and practice on the surrounding community.
• Highlight and document the zero-waste-school as a vision for the future and viable model for replication

The ZW@S project aims at delivering the following outcomes

• Report on case-studies and lessons learnt
• Guidelines for further replications in schools and in bigger settings (villages, town, etc.)