A study by the EkoSkola committee at Kirkop Middle School last year showed that a whopping 16,800 single use plastic bottles were being used each year.  This result has convinced the EkoSkola Team to embark on a massive project; a project which is bound to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles to almost a zero... Plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of its lifecycle, from its production to its refining and the way it is managed as a waste product.

St Benedict College Middle School has a zero tolerance to single use plastics during their activities, parties and functions. They have been pro-active and through the Litter Less Campaign and other fund-raising activities have collected funds to install three reverse osmosis systems in the kitchenettes in December 2019 to reduce single use plastic water bottles by school staff. On the school premises there are eight water fountains for student use.  The Ekoskola Team has carried out a survey last year and have found out they were not being used by most students because the water, despite being potable, did not taste so good.

The school has sought funds through environment-based local projects, and as from this January the water fountains will also be providing filtered water for our students. As a result, single use plastic bottles will now be banned from the school. Another survey will be conducted through February and March to assess the effect on plastic waste of these positive measures.