The first school with zero waste is in Ruse
Rousse English High School became the first school in Bulgaria with zero waste, or so -called. Zero Waste School. For several months, the garbage has been discarded separately here and the biological waste goes into a composter. How this happens at school with over 500 children, nearly 30 teachers and 10 other support staff – we decided to find out.
The collection of waste
We enter the elegant building of the school, where more than a century ago, the boarding house at the French Girl’s College in Ruse was housed. Already in the hallway you can see a gray bin with four divisions: blue – for paper, yellow – for plastic and metal, green – for glass, brown – for biological waste.
« There is also a separate collection bins in each classroom to make them easy to use, » says Desislava Ivanova, a biology teacher and an active participant in the implementation of the project. It walks us around the school and tells us about the idea created by a group of students in 2022.
Biological waste is processed into a special composter. It is placed in the yard of the high school and it is thrown away from food, the leaves of the yard, oiled paper or stained boxes to turn into fertilizer.
« The compost of it will be used for our organic area, pot plants at school, as well as for the needs of plants in the city park, » explains Desislava Ivanova.
« This is an effort to reduce waste and reuse in order to protect all resources. By responsible production, consumption, reuse and utilization of products, packaging and materials, we can limit our negative impact on the environment. The zero concept
Waste can be described as the opposite of consumerism, « Ivanova explains.
A kind bucket, 50 saved books and more ideas for a garbage life
Project
The project was written in 2021 by the student Lora Georgieva on her participation in an international ecophorum. With it, she won a recognition of originality and a bronze medal.
« It so happened that our ideals, goals and aspirations coincided and we decided to try to accomplish the project in practice, » Ivanova says.
| In order to implement the project, the Ecozis ecoclub was created in the high school. Its purpose is to gather students with similar thinking. In addition to working to implement the project, various eco -initiatives are held in the school and city. |
The idea had it, and more enthusiasts were found, but there was no other main ingredient in the implementation of the project – funding.
« From 2022 to 2024 we have long tried to find funding. So together with the Student Council of the High School, we decided to act in advance. We organized a bazaar during the 2022/2023 school year, » says Ivanova.
On it, enthusiasts from the Ecology Club prepared and sold healthy food, as well as eco -opponents of processed materials. In this way, students and teachers manage to raise money for the first metal bins in the corridors.
Then they begin to inform the school community about the proper separation of waste. But this was not enough for the purpose of « zero waste ». They are approaching it after participating in a competition for financing under the social program of a large supermarket chain. Their idea is approved and earn
funds to finish it.
« So we were able to get separate waste collection bins in all classrooms and rooms at school, » says the teacher.
Challenges
But change takes time. There are cases where students still hesitate to throw their garbage, we understand more from students and working at school.
« The problem is that, according to many students, there is no point in working for changes, the result of which will not be shown immediately. However, I believe that the good model of an environmental lifestyle educates perseverance and perseverance. I believe that this change is for good, » says Ivan Tachev, a 10th grade student.
Other nine -graders from high school tell us that they are already throwing away their waste separately, but admit that proper discard is a challenge. Sometimes it happens that waste is in the wrong bin. Here, too, the hygienist plays a role.
According to them, the separately collected waste is not clean enough and it is necessary to separate it.
« This makes it difficult for our work and pollutes the process. In order to solve the problem, it is necessary to work on insufficient awareness in society of how they could turn the waste into a resource, » says one of them.
It may not be bad for more institutions that are relevant to waste, organize information campaigns and gradually to capture society in environmentally friendly practices
Desislava Ivanova. Biology teacher
« Through this project and through all the similar initiatives I implement, I would like to teach the students of individual responsibility and long -term thinking. By developing these two qualities, they will simultaneously be able to realize their full potential and be happy in their life, » says Ivanova more
Promoting the idea
The ecoclub will continue to work for changes. This year, an ecophorum will be organized to give the subject a publicity. A big event is being prepared on the topic in February 2025, which aims to establish and promote the project.
Peel sauce, flake chips, or stories how not to throw food
« We will invite our sponsors, guests, media, influenzers involved in ecology, students, teachers and parents. There will be games, quiz, a creative competition with a prize pool, lecturers, gifts, bazaar, as well as healthy handmade handwriting, » says Desislava Ivanova.
« We hope this will become an annual holiday of the victory of the right against the easy, the action against inaction, the good against apathy, » she adds.
| The greatest hope of the teacher and everyone involved in the great change is their example to follow other schools in the country. |
« We want not only us, but also others to realize environmental practices related to the ecological lifestyle. We believe that we can work together for a better tomorrow for our children, » says Desislava Ivanova.
