Funded by the DfE, Climate Ambassadors match volunteer climate experts with education settings.
Part of Let’s Go Zero, Climate Action Advisors are independent experts who offer free support for schools, colleges, and nurseries across England.
Early years settings are hubs of creativity, but daily arts and crafts activities with the children can result in high paper consumption.
Recognising this, St George’s Childcare introduced a paper-making station as part of its commitment to sustainability.
What they did
The initiative was introduced by Nenita Goodship, Senior Childcare Leader, and encourages children to transform waste paper into handmade recycled paper that can be reused for drawing, painting and junk modelling.
The ‘Badgers’ Preschool room has the paper-making station set up as a permanent fixture - an activity that’s open for the children to explore. By embedding the project in their room, children develop a practical understanding of recycling and resource reuse.
Alongside supporting the nursery’s environmental ethos, the activity helps develop fine motor skills, creativity and language linked to caring for the environment.
Sometimes the simplest activities have the greatest impact. Paper-making gives children a hands-on understanding of recycling, encourages creativity, and helps them see that waste materials can be turned into something useful and beautiful.
The impact
Through this initiative, the nursery has reduced demand for new paper resources while decreasing the volume of waste requiring disposal and collection.
As a result, St George’s Childcare now buys 10% less paper.
'As a result, St George’s Childcare now buys 10% less paper.'
Step-by-step to reducing paper waste
1. Review your paper use
Identify where paper is most commonly used and what can be diverted from disposal for recycling activities.
2. Create collection points
Introduce clearly labelled paper collection areas, such as near printers and classrooms, and ensure staff know what can be collected. Reuse finished paper for children’s artwork before recycling it again. Explain that paper can go through the recycling process more than once, although the fibres become weaker each time, so the aim is to reuse it well before it reaches the end of its life.
3. Prepare your space
Choose an area for paper-making, storage and drying, and gather the required resources.
4. Link activities to learning
Consider how the activity supports curriculum objectives, including fine motor development, communication and understanding of the environment.
5. Start with small groups
Introduce the activity in small, supported groups, allowing children to revisit it regularly. For a video demonstration of the nursery’s paper-making process, follow this Facebook link: Facebook
6. Reuse the finished paper
Make recycled paper available for drawing, painting and other creative activities to reinforce the concept of reuse.
Top tips
- Use staff and children’s paper waste – don’t forget about staff resource consumption. Encourage children to collect what’s left in the paper shredder
- Make it part of everyday provision – set up a simple, supervised paper-making area that children can return to regularly, rather than treating it as a one-off activity. This helps build familiarity, independence and a stronger understanding of reuse over time
If you're a sustainability lead…
Speak to your business manager about allocating a small budget for the resources needed to get started.
If you're a parent or carer…
Speak to your nursery or education setting about the benefits of this activity and consider sharing this case study. If there is a PTA or similar group, suggest they support the initial costs.
Want to replicate St George’s Childcare's success?
Take a look at these recommended actions:
Identify quick wins to reduce your paper consumption
Quick wins refer to easy, low-cost actions that deliver immediate or near-term benefits. As they require minimal planning or investment, it makes them a great starting point for settings with limited time and budget.
Plan a session on consumption as part of your behaviour change programme
Organise sessions to educate your whole community on the topic of consumption and responsible habits.