Highland school to trial reusable lunch containers

Single use packaging from Kingussie High School's canteen accounts for 9% of the secondary's rubbish

A Highland secondary school is to trial the serving of lunch items in reusable containers to help it cut down on waste.

Single use packaging from Kingussie High School's canteen accounts for 9% of the rubbish generated at the 400-pupil school every year.

The trial is due to start in September and could potentially be the first of its kind in Scotland, according to a report to Highland Council's climate change committee.

Snacks such as sandwiches, toasties and burgers are available at Highland schools as well as larger sit-down meals.

Highland Council has been trying to increase recycling rates across its 300 properties, including offices, leisure centres and schools.

According to the report to next week's committee meeting, Kingussie pupils bin about five tonnes of waste at school every year, including food packaging.

The trial is to include new recycling facilities in the canteen, common rooms and playground area.

Some lunch items will be served in containers, which pupils are to be returned to the canteen for reuse.

The report said: "Early research indicates that the catering reusables trial at Kingussie may be one of the first of its kind in schools across Scotland.

"This initiative provides an opportunity for the council to contribute to the development of more sustainable school catering practices and to share learning with other local authorities."