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Pesa I pensa (Weight and Think)
Published on 27 May 2019
Spain
Cataluña
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The methodology of the project enables children to be co-responsible for decisions such as whether to have a whole second helping or eat more bread or fruit. The teaching staff that set Weigh and Think into motion considers that the children’s first-hand experience, when they can make their own decisions, is an efficient and everlasting learning tool that will help them be critical food consumers. Weigh and Think has been created to enable children and youths to internalise a good habit that will accompany them throughout their whole lives, which they will also pass on to their families. The pilot test got underway in 2014. From the second month onwards and in a sustained way, food wastage in school dining rooms was reduced by 35% and waste’ generation dropped by 50%. The Weigh and Think method consists of five steps:
- separate into four bins (trash bin, inedible organic waste, edible organic waste, water);
- weigh every day in a systematic and precise manner;
- record data by means of an app: meals served, waste generated etc;
- think: analyse data related to the generated waste;
- propose: set targets to be achieved with the children.
The Campos Estela has estimated that wastage could be reduced by 75 tonnes of food every day, given that this project could contribute to a 5% reduction of the total amount of food wasted in Catalonia.
- separate into four bins (trash bin, inedible organic waste, edible organic waste, water);
- weigh every day in a systematic and precise manner;
- record data by means of an app: meals served, waste generated etc;
- think: analyse data related to the generated waste;
- propose: set targets to be achieved with the children.
The Campos Estela has estimated that wastage could be reduced by 75 tonnes of food every day, given that this project could contribute to a 5% reduction of the total amount of food wasted in Catalonia.
Resources needed
Coordination, , engagement of schools, campaign framework
Evidence of success
Over 4,000 pupils and over 30 Catalonia schools engaged
The project was finalist in the European Week of Waste Reduction awards (EWWR) in 2015
The project was finalist in the European Week of Waste Reduction awards (EWWR) in 2015
Potential for learning or transfer
All started with a slice of bread: there was more left over bread than there were students in a school lunchroom. This story marked the inception of Weigh and Think (Pesa I pensa in Catalan): an educational project to raise awareness about the production of waste and food waste at school.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Campos Estela, Schools
Spain
Cataluña
Contact
Deputy manager