ARTICLES
Sant Cugat has been recognized as the city in Catalonia with over 50,000 residents that recycles the most In 2023, the city achieved a selective waste collection rate of 50.5%, though it still falls short of the European Union's 55% target Residents generated an average of 382 kilograms of waste per person last year, one of the lowest rates in large Catalan cities
Despite leading in recycling among bigger municipalities, progress has stagnated, with minimal improvement over the past decade. Smaller towns in the region, which use innovative systems like door-to-door collection or smart containers, achieve recycling rates of over 70%
Starting in 2025, Sant Cugat will introduce smart containers to monitor recycling habits and encourage better waste management. The goal is to reward households that recycle more while reducing overall costs Currently, the annual waste management fee in Sant Cugat is €90 per household, but with improved recycling efforts, it could decrease significantly
Encouraging sustainable practices benefits the environment and can reduce expenses for families. Let’s all contribute to keeping Sant Cugat green!
For more details, read the original article here: https://www totsantcugat cat/actualitat/medi-ambient/santcugat-ciutat-catalana-mes-recicla-residus 2208377102 html
This year, we are thrilled to announce an exciting update to our Eco-Delegate program, driven by the overwhelming enthusiasm of students eager to participate in our school’s sustainability initiatives To meet this growing demand and ensure more students can take part, each class will now have two Eco-Delegates per term, with rotations occurring at the end of every term This change allows more students to experience the responsibilities and rewards of this crucial role, fostering a greater sense of collective ownership over our environmental efforts
Eco-Delegates play an essential role in promoting sustainability within our school. Their daily responsibilities include checking classrooms to ensure proper use of recycling bins, turning off lights, fans, and screens when not in use, and being vigilant for opportunities to improve our school, such as reporting water leaks or energy waste. Beyond these day-to-day tasks, Eco-Delegates have actively participated in school-wide initiatives, such as the Sustainable Costume Competition, and have been at the forefront of innovative projects aimed at reducing our environmental footprint.
The work of our Eco-Delegates is indispensable to maintaining an eco-friendly school environment. By taking on these responsibilities, they not only help us achieve our sustainability goals but also inspire their peers to adopt environmentally conscious behaviors With their dedication, creativity, and keen sense of responsibility, our Eco-Delegates embody the spirit of environmental stewardship and set an example for the entire school community
This year, we have introduced an exciting new initiative: a monthly competition to crown the most sustainable class Organized by the Eco-Delegates, this project has added an extra layer of engagement and accountability to our sustainability efforts Throughout the month, the Eco-Delegates diligently monitor classrooms, checking for environmentally friendly behaviors like proper use of recycling bins, switching off lights, fans and screens At the end of each month, they meet to analyze and compare their findings, ultimately awarding the title of "Greenest Class" to the group that demonstrates the most consistent commitment to sustainability.
To make this initiative even more impactful, the project is tied to the House Points system Every student in the winning class earns 20 House Points, a reward that not only recognizes their collective effort but also contributes to their House's overall standing The competition has sparked a healthy sense of rivalry, encouraging students to work together toward a shared goal. Beyond the points, the winning classes receive a certificate celebrating their achievement, which they proudly display outside their classroom as a badge of honor These certificates serve as a constant reminder of the value of teamwork and sustainable practices, inspiring other classes to rise to the challenge in the following months
The benefits of this competition are wide-ranging. It has fostered greater awareness about the small yet impactful actions that contribute to a sustainable environment, while also promoting collaboration and friendly competition among students. By tying sustainability to the House Points system, the initiative demonstrates how positive behaviors can be encouraged through recognition and reward This project is a shining example of how we can unite our community around shared goals, turning sustainability into both a habit and a source of pride Together, we are building a greener future, one month and one class at a time!
This Halloween, our school embraced the spooky season in an eco-friendly way with a Sustainable Costume Competition. Students from Primary created costumes entirely from recycled and reused materials, following the rule of purchasing absolutely nothing new The participation was remarkable, with over half of the students involved, and the winners earned 100, 75 and 50 House Points for their creativity and effort
The competition highlighted the importance of reducing waste and showed students that sustainability can be fun and rewarding. Using old clothes, cardboard, and other household items, participants created amazing designs that showcased their resourcefulness and innovation Beyond the fun, the activity raised awareness about eco-friendly practices and their role in protecting the planet
We are thrilled by the enthusiasm of our students, as this competition was not just about Halloween costumes but about fostering habits that will prepare them for a sustainable future. Events like these teach the next generation that protecting the planet is not a choice but a responsibility and it can be an exciting one!
Fast fashion, known for its cheap and trendy clothing, harms the environment and exploits workers. Its cycle of overproduction and waste fills landfills and pollutes the planet.
This term, our school has embraced creative solutions to inspire sustainable habits and challenge this harmful trend.
Miss Angela, our talented art teacher, led by example by upcycling old jumpers into unique Christmas-themed wearable art Instead of buying new outfits for the school’s Christmas Jumper Days, she used her creativity to add old Christmas decorations she had at home to old jumpers by using her silicone gun (she would be lost without it!) The result was not only eye-catching but also a powerful statement about the value of reusing and repurposing Her initiative reminded us that reducing waste doesn’t have to be boring it can be a fun, artistic process that inspires others to look at their wardrobes in a new way Projects like these show how small efforts can contribute to reducing the harmful impact of fast fashion Lucia Fika from 4A was obviously inspired by Miss Angela's inicial idea and decided to make her own recycled Christmas jumper!
To fight fast fashion, families can adopt simple but impactful habits Shopping second-hand or organizing clothing swaps with friends and family extends the life of garments and reduces waste Supporting ethical brands that prioritize sustainable materials and fair labor practices helps counteract the industry’s exploitation Additionally, upcycling clothes whether by customizing them with personal touches or transforming them into entirely new items is a creative and rewarding way to give old garments a second chance By making thoughtful choices and encouraging these habits in children, families can take meaningful steps toward a greener future while helping to shift attitudes about consumption and sustainability
This year, Miss Jill led an innovative project where primary students took part in an innovative project to decorate Christmas trees, combining creativity, sustainability and school spirit Each tree was decorated by one of the school’s House Points teams: Phoenix, Pegasus, Centaur, and Triton The challenge? All decorations had to be made from recycled or reused materials, encouraging students to repurpose items like cardboard, old paper, fabric scraps, and plastic bottles into beautiful ornaments
The project offered many benefits, teaching students about sustainability and the importance of reducing waste. By working with recycled materials, they gained a hands-on understanding of environmental responsibility. The students also developed essential skills such as problemsolving, collaboration, and creativity
The enthusiasm and teamwork shown by the students were inspiring The project quickly became a favorite across the school, with each team showcasing their creativity through unique and stunning tree decorations This projected reflected a group effort that was filled with the enthusiasm and collaboration of all the Primary team!
This project was a huge success and will undoubtedly become a recurring event. It not only spread holiday cheer but also instilled important lessons about sustainability in a fun and meaningful way.
This year, our annual Christmas Door Competition got a creative and eco-friendly twist with the introduction of a new rule: all doors had to be decorated sustainably Teachers and students worked together to craft their designs using only recycled, reused, or repurposed materials. From scrap card and leftover paper from the Art Room to household items and fabric scraps, participants embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and ingenuity.
The results were nothing short of extraordinary The hallways of our school were transformed into a festive display of sustainability, showcasing decorations that were not only beautiful but also environmentally conscious Teachers across all grades got involved, inspiring their students to think outside the box and find artistic ways to reuse materials The creativity on display ranged from snowy winter wonderlands to vibrant holiday scenes, each with a unique sustainable touch
This initiative demonstrates how even traditional celebrations can promote eco-friendly practices By integrating sustainability into fun, community-driven activities like this competition, we are fostering an awareness of environmental responsibility. The Sustainable Christmas Door Competition was a true success, proving that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand to spread holiday cheer!
Our school has introduced an exciting initiative to promote waste separation in the dining room, starting with upper secondary students. During Stage 1, students are separating food waste and napkins into designated containers after meals In Stage 2, the program will expand to include the separation of specific fruits and eventually involve lower grades, making this a school-wide effort to reduce waste and build awareness about sustainability
Eco-delegates are in charge of overseeing the project, ensuring it runs smoothly and engaging their peers To keep students motivated, upper secondary groups are competing to see which class generates the least waste, with the amounts being weighed regularly This friendly competition encourages responsible behavior while making the initiative fun and engaging
The long-term goal is to install a composting system in the school, turning organic waste into a valuable resource for gardening. This project not only reduces waste but also helps students develop lifelong habits of environmental responsibility By working together, students and staff are taking meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future, one meal at a time.
Despite challenges such as global warming and extreme weather, 2024 brought significant environmental achievements that highlight hope for the planet’s future
Here are seven key advancements:
1 The UK Ends Coal Power In a symbolic move, the UK shut down its last coal-fired power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar As the birthplace of industrial coal usage, this marks a turning point The site is being repurposed for industrial battery storage, reflecting global efforts to transition from fossil fuels
2 Global Surge in Renewable Energy. Renewable energy capacity grew significantly worldwide In the U S , wind power surpassed coal in April China leads the expansion, expected to account for 50% of the world’s renewable energy by 2030 This transformation underscores the economic appeal of renewables over fossil fuels
3 Legal Rights for Nature. From rivers to mountains and marine life, 2024 saw nature gain legal rights in several countries. In Ecuador, rulings protected rivers and forests. In Brazil, ocean waves were granted personhood, and New Zealand recognized mountains as living entities. These measures strengthen protections for ecosystems and species, reshaping legal frameworks globally.
4 Ocean Protections in the Azores Portugal’s Azores established the Atlantic’s largest Marine Protected Area, covering 30% of its waters Half of this area is strictly offlimits to fishing and resource extraction, safeguarding critical ecosystems
Despite challenges such as global warming and extreme weather, 2024 brought significant environmental achievements that highlight hope for the planet’s future
Here are seven key advancements:
5 Reduced Deforestation in the Amazon Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by 30%, reaching its lowest level in nine years This achievement aligns with President Lula da Silva’s pledge to end illegal logging and deforestation by 2030, despite challenges like increased wildfires
6 Conservation Efforts Reversing Biodiversity Loss
A review of conservation initiatives showed measurable successes in reversing biodiversity decline The saiga antelope population in Kazakhstan, once critically endangered, now numbers 2.86 million, thanks to habitat restoration and protective measures.
7. Indigenous-Led Restoration in the U.S. Indigenous tribes in California led groundbreaking restoration efforts The Yurok Tribe’s campaigns restored salmon populations to the Klamath River for the first time in a century, following dam removals Additionally, California condor populations are steadily rising due to reintroduction programs
Reflection and Call to Action
These milestones remind us that change is possible when communities, governments, and organizations prioritize sustainability Let’s take inspiration from these successes as we continue working towards a greener future
For more details, read the original article here: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/cn8g606y7z4o
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the students, teachers, and staff for their incredible cooperation and dedication to our sustainability initiatives From separating waste in the dining room to crafting recycled Halloween costumes and decorating sustainable Christmas doors, none of these accomplishments would have been possible without your hard work and enthusiasm Sustainability is truly a team effort, and it’s inspiring to see how much we can achieve when we work together
Looking ahead to Term 2, we are thrilled to announce some exciting new projects The highly anticipated Sustainable Carnival Costume Competition will challenge students to create festive and eco-friendly designs using only reused and recycled materials We will also be rolling out an updated Eco Code of Conduct, emphasizing new practices and ideas to make our school even greener. A fresh set of eco-delegates will join the team, bringing new energy and ideas to the initiatives. Additionally, we are planning more projects that aim to deepen our commitment to sustainability and involve every member of our school community in meaningful ways.
Thank you for making this term such a success, and for helping us take important steps toward a more sustainable future Let’s keep this momentum going in Term 2, as we continue to learn, grow, and make a difference together
Mr Emilio Tinoco & Mr Luke Fernández, EISB Green Committee Coordinators
