ES SCHOOL FOOD FOR CHANGE

The school organized a food waste awareness campaign aimed at promoting sustainable habits and responsible food consumption among students. The main goal of the initiative was to reduce food waste in the school canteen and encourage environmentally friendly behaviour.

Students were informed about the scale and impact of food waste in the school. They learned that more than 2,800 portions of school meals are wasted each year, amounting to approximately 1.14 tonnes of food and costing the school over €5,000 annually. The campaign also highlighted the environmental consequences of food waste, including nearly 2,850 kilograms of CO₂ emissions each year.

Throughout the campaign, students were encouraged to take only as much food as they could eat, try unfamiliar foods in small portions, ask for additional servings when needed, and make food choices based on their own appetite rather than on the choices of others. They were also invited to provide feedback on school meals and to become more aware of the weekly menu and their eating habits. 

From 10 to 14 March, Tallinn English College hosted an open food week for parents.
We invited parents to taste the school food. In total, exactly 100 parents participated over the course of the week.

The campaign helped students develop awareness of sustainable consumption, environmental responsibility, and healthy eating habits. By connecting everyday choices with real economic and environmental impacts, students gained a better understanding of how individual actions contribute to broader sustainability goals. The initiative strengthened the school community by encouraging everyone—students, teachers, and canteen staff—to work together towards a common goal of reducing waste and using resources more responsibly. It also fostered a sense of shared responsibility and demonstrated how small behavioural changes can create a meaningful positive impact for both the school and the environment.