Busy Bees | Nourishing Young Minds and the Environment

Busy Bees Nurseries, the UK’s leading provider of early childhood education and care, has partnered with 1st Waste and their specialist supplier Keenan Recycling to reduce waste across various waste streams, particularly aiming to divert food waste from landfill.

Challenge facing Busy Bees

Food waste in nursery schools is often inevitable due to the unpredictable eating habits of young children. Factors such as varying appetites, food preferences, and the novelty of trying new foods contribute to leftovers. Additionally, portion sizes may not always align with a child's consumption capacity, leading to some uneaten food.

Busy Bees installs food waste bins as standard in their nurseries so that food waste can be collected separately. The one exception to this is when space for external bins is a limiting factor.

As part of their commitment towards continuous improvement Busy Bees asked their waste management partners to develop a case study which showcases how food waste is being reduced and how it is being treated as sustainably as possible, whilst recognising that some degree of waste is an inherent challenge in ensuring that all children have access to a balanced and appealing diet.

Objectives of the case study

This case study explores how the collaborative efforts of the Busy Bees, 1st Waste and Keenan Recycling benefit the environment, educate young children, and foster a culture of sustainability throughout Busy Bees' estate of nursery schools.

One Colourful Bin at a Time

"Reducing food waste, one colourful bin at a time" became the mantra at the Northwich Nursery. The team initially faced challenges with food waste management, but through a carefully considered team approach, they turned the situation around.

Hollie Pomfret, who led the project at this Busy Bees Nursery, explains, "We adopted a step-by-step process, and now our children are actively participating in recycling efforts. This not only helps us manage our waste but also instils a strong awareness of the environmental impact of waste from a young age."

Hollie elaborates, “We spoke to the children about how we might turn leftover food into new food and displayed their pictures on the bins. The children loved asking questions about what waste goes where. It was heartening to see their engagement, with comments like ‘It’s going to make us new food.’”

Gemma Roberts, 1st Waste’s Commercial Director, adds, " Educating the children on how food waste becomes new energy gives the children an insight into recycling, that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. It’s pleasing to be part of a project that fosters environmental responsibility in children’s formative years.”

Menu Planning for Less Waste

Effective menu planning is another key strategy in reducing food waste. Nicola Brown, Busy Bees' Facilities Manager Soft Services, highlights the importance of menu planning to reduce food waste production in the first place. "We use a food ordering system that allows chefs to download the recipes for the week and work out exactly how much food should be ordered to match the number of children in the centre”.

A Full-Circle Approach

Busy Bees' commitment to sustainability extends beyond the nursery. "We compost leftovers and use them to grow vegetables in our garden," shares Hollie. "This sparks conversations with the children about the circularity of the process."

A Sustainable Partnership

The collaboration between Busy Bees, 1st Waste, and Keenan Recycling reduces landfill waste and delivers three significant benefits:

• Renewable Energy: Food waste is converted into electricity sufficient to power numerous homes.
• Environmental Education: Children actively participate in sustainable practices.
• Community Impact: Busy Bees fosters a culture of environmental responsibility in the local communities they operate in.

Hollie concludes, "Good portion control and composting initiatives have been excellent additions. Moreover, children are going home and discussing food waste issues with their families.”

“I’m delighted with our partnership with 1st Waste and their trusted supplier, Keenan Recycling, and the positive response from our team. It showcases our commitment to sustainability and educating future generations on the importance of recycling.” - Nicola Brown

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Shepherd Neame

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