Pupils design innovative solutions to tackle waste in schools as part of MDX-backed comp

More than 600 pupils took part in the competition which promoted sustainable living during Barnet Climate Action Month

Entrepreneurial schoolchildren in Barnet have come up with innovative solutions to reduce waste in the borough's schools.

More than 600 pupils developed the ideas through an enterprise and sustainability competition funded by St George PLC and in partnership with Middlesex University as part of Barnet Climate Action Month in June.

Year 8 children from Hendon School, St James Catholic High School and Copthall School attended a day of workshops and activities at Middlesex's facilities in StoneX stadium, before submitting final ideas to combat school waste which could be realistically rolled out across the borough.

The winning team were from Hendon School which proposed borough-wide school uniform recycle and repair hubs.

Mina Balijagic from Middlesex University’s sustainability team believed the project could be implemented with help from Fashion student volunteers. 

“It is essential that young people are equipped with the skills and knowledge to address the challenges of climate change. This competition empowers them to take ownership of their future by finding innovative and impactful solutions. We’re proud at Middlesex University to inspire and support the next generation in making a difference in their communities.”

Rabin Doolub from the MDX sustainability team

The runner-up proposal, from Copthall School, for a smart recycling bin including an App and a rewards system has been picked up by St George PLC, which promised to look into a prototype for one of its residential developments. 

St George PLC, which funded the project through its Silk Stream Community Fund, also saw potential in St James’ School's idea of composting and growing food for the school canteen, and has pledged to share the proposal with staff who work in urban farming. 

Katie Sampford, Senior Sustainability Manager at St George PLC, said: “It was a pleasure to be part of the enterprise competition delivered in partnership with Middlesex University. Watching the students develop and apply skills that will support them in their future careers was incredibly rewarding, and was exactly what we were aiming to achieve with our Silk Stream Community Fund. 

“The quality of their project outcomes was truly impressive, and it was clear that every participant took something meaningful away from the experience—whether it sparked an entrepreneurial ambition or simply a new commitment to sustainability, like proper recycling.” 

All of the schools will be invited to see how their ideas will be put into action and kept informed of any developments. 

Vanessa Fernandez, a Middlesex University Alumni and entrepreneur who helped design the competition and judged the finalists, said: “Barnet has the largest community of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) amongst outer London boroughs. As an entrepreneur operating and living in Barnet I have experienced first-hand the positive impact that cultivating an entrepreneurial environment can have in fostering business growth. 

“I believe so much more can be achieved when key organisations combine efforts. To see a large corporation like St George’s actively engaging with and supporting the local community at grassroots level is truly admirable and I hope that this will motivate others to follow.”

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