Enfield primary schools cut waste thanks to education programme

Freezywater and Houndsfield primary schools in Edmonton both took part in a North London Waste Authority education scheme

Freezywater Primary School pupils receive recycling tips (credit NLWA)

Pupils and staff at two Enfield primary schools have burnished their recycling credentials thanks to an education programme led by North London Waste Authority (NLWA).

Freezywater Primary School and Houndsfield Primary School in Edmonton both took part in NLWA’s ‘In The Know’ scheme during the 2025/26 academic year – increasing the accuracy of their recycling by 25%.

The programme is aimed at “establishing a culture of waste reduction by changing behaviours”. Pupils and staff received a series of interventions to increase understanding of circular economy principles, including in-school assemblies, training on how to reduce food waste in association and staff away days.

A hands-on waste audit was carried out at the beginning of the year to establish a baseline for each school, with a second audit carried out at the end of the programme the measure the impact of In The Know. The accuracy of items placed in the general waste across both schools rose from 64% to 79%, and from 65% to 90% for recycling.

Among other schools to take part in the NLWA programme in recent years have included Merryhills Primary School in World’s End, which managed to cut waste by 37%.

NLWA says that the results from all 13 participating schools across North London show a “clear improvement in how accurately they use their bins” with a reduction of around 59.5% in the amount of general waste weighed. The estimated overall recycling rate across audited schools rose from 39% to 45%.

Hackney councillor Jacob Cable, NLWA’s new Green Party chair, said: “Young people are crucial to building a culture of sustainability in North London, which is why it is so important to put knowledge for change in their hands and help them form green habits that will last a lifetime.

“As the new chair of NLWA, it is inspiring to see whole school communities taking ownership of In The Know – reducing contamination, improving recycling practices and embedding behaviours that will make a real difference long term. Responding to the climate emergency takes action across all levels and we must work together to move towards a low waste future.

“NLWA will continue to build on the success of the programme by rolling it out to even more schools and celebrating achievements through its accreditation scheme.”

In The Know is continuing to work with primary schools across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest. For more information:
Visit nlwa.gov.uk/InTheKnow

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