Plastic-free school festival

Students will

• learn to organise a party.
• recognise that good planning reduces plastic and food waste.
• experience self-efficacy and group spirit.

2 hours (for planning)

Paper, pen

Additional material:

• Handbook "Plastic-free festivals"
• Many municipalities lend schools and kindergartens reusable crockery at a low cost. Information on Vienna's reusable crockery can be found at Oekoevent-website
• Low-waste pyramide (Umweltberatung, resource in German)
• Ökoevent Wien (resource in German)

Pupils plan a low-waste school or class party.

1. Drinks

Which drinks can be served without disposable packaging?

Collect ideas, e.g.:

• Tap water flavoured with herbs or fruits
• Drinking water fountain with tap water
• Syrup that is filled with tap water
• Soda water that is produced from tap water using a SodaStream device
• Drinks from returnable bottles (research which drinks are available in returnable glass bottles in your regional shop)

Which drinking vessels do we use?

• Glasses or washable, reusable plastic cups instead of disposable plastic
• Is there a possibility to borrow reusable crockery (e.g., from the kanteen, the city, or the regional waste association)?
• You can save crockery by marking it, so there is no mix-up and you can use the glass or bottle for the whole party
• Organise cleaning and transportation

2. Food

Which dishes should be offered?

Collect ideas (no/low packaging, no food waste):

• Avoid small packaging for ketchup, mustard, etc.
• No disposable aluminium foil or plastic wrap for covering
• How can we avoid leftovers?
• What happens to the leftovers from the buffet?

Which crockery do we use?

• With finger food you can save on cutlery and crockery.
• Is there a possibility to borrow reusable crockery (e.g., from the kanteen, the city, or the regional waste association)?
• Organise cleaning and transportation.

3. Waste disposal

Plan waste disposal in advance (e.g., with a waste concept) and make sure that waste collection bins are clearly labelled.

Clarify waste disposal responsibilities after the party.

Nature: Gathering and displaying information on food packaging and nutrition
Any subject: improving organisational skills