Hints, Tips and Links

Hints

• You don't need to organize and run the whole event (but you can if you want to). The competition is based solely on your efforts to make your school's event more sustainable.
• The guides to each issue are just a starting point. Your teachers, the Internet, your local Library, the local Council and voluntary organizations can all give advice, ideas and practical help. Use them!
• We're looking for quality, not quantity. We're more interested in how you address an issue, than how many issues you choose.
• Don't forget to PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT! - the more you think things through, the more likely you are to succeed.

Tips

• Lots of small changes add up to a real difference. Think carefully before asking visitors to make large changes, as these are harder to make happen. Instead, see how many small changes you can encourage them to make.
• For every change you want people to make, find a way to help them. This could be advice or information, or practical support. For example, if you want to encourage people to take public transport to your event instead of their cars, let them know which buses and trains stop near your school, and give them suitable website links to plan their journeys.
• If your action is to take away an unsustainable choice, make sure you offer a sustainable alternative.
• Remember to tell your whole school community (student, parents and teachers) about what you're doing - before, during and after the event. This will encourage them to do as you ask, and help them to feel more involved in the process.
• Talk to the people who are organizing or will come to the event, and show them your plans. Their insights and ideas can refine your plans and make them more likely to succeed. Accept when you need to tone down your more ambitious plans!
• Don't let your ideas take over the event. Remember that people are there to enjoy the sports, music, or entertainment. Keep it fun!

Links

Food

Local suppliers:
www.bigbarn.co.uk

Organic standards:
www.soilassociation.org

Animal welfare:
www.ciwf.org.uk/education/ethics.html

Packaging

Recycling:
www.recyclenow.com
www.wasteawarescotland.org.uk
www.wasteawarenesswales.org.uk
www.wakeuptowaste.org

Freecycling:
www.freecycle.org

Transport

Cycle routes:
www.sustrans.org.uk

Car sharing:
www.nationalcarshare.co.uk

Energy

Energy efficiency:
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Water

Water conservation:
www.waterwise.org.uk

Climate

Carbon calculators:
http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk
www.carbonneutral.com