Solutions for the Planet is hoping to become the 4th international delivery partner of the Race Against Waste programme, following in the footsteps of Germany, France and Spain. 

Race Against Waste was established in the Netherlands 10+ years ago and have successfully been running their ‘races’ with thousands of primary school students across the country ever since. In fact, more than 20,000 young people are empowered to take action against waste through the Race Against Waste programmes each year! The E-Waste Race has been running the longest and the Textile Race was introduced in 2020. Since then, they’ve also piloted an Energy Race and are looking at plans for a Water Race very soon.  

So, how do the ‘races’ work? Each ‘race’ consists of 10 schools from a particular region; 40 9-11-year-old students from each school lead the race, with the wider student body contributing to the collection of waste or the reduction in energy / water usage. The programme starts with an inspiring Guest Lecture, which informs the participants about the issues surrounding waste and overconsumption. They then spend the next 1-month racing to collect as much waste or reduce as much consumption as possible, with a sliding scale of points available as they move up the waste hierarchy from recycling, through repair, and into reduction. The winning team goes on an education trip, often supported by a local business partner.  

Solutions for the Planet has been busy networking with potential funding and delivery partners up and down the country. We have been learning about the circular economy space in the U.K., and we have been buoyed by the enthusiasm and generosity of so many organisations. 

The benefits of collaborating with Race Against Waste are many: 

• The model is tried and tested across multiple European nations 

• The resources are already produced, and we’ve been working on translations 

• The point tracking website, designed for students, is already operational 

• We become part of a bigger, international, movement working towards a circular economy 

• We are supported by an experienced team of colleagues who have been delivering this work for many years already 

Solutions for the Planet already has 10+ years of experience in engaging schools, their students, and business partners in the important work of empowering youth voice in issues relating to their own future and we would love to add this brilliant programme to our existing work!  

If you would like to get involved as a funding or delivery partner, or would like to find out more, then please do get in touch with Lauren at lauren@solutionsfortheplanet.co.uk