Every item on a shop shelf has a story long before it reaches us. This European Week for Waste Reduction, we’re asking pupils a simple question: do we really need it? Find out what happened when Circular Schools explored material sufficiency in Ardboe and Antrim, what a smartphone has to do with it, and the challenge your school can try today.

With International Repair Day taking place on 17 October, we’re looking at why repair deserves a bigger place in circular economy education, and how Circular Schools pupils across Northern Ireland are already putting it into practice.

September marks the start of a new school year and, with it, a fresh opportunity to build positive habits. This month, we are also celebrating Zero Waste Week, taking place from 7–11 September 2026. It is an opportunity for schools, communities and organisations to think about the waste they produce and consider what they can do differently.

As the summer holidays come to an end, many families will be busy preparing for the new school year. It’s a time for buying school uniforms, replacing stationery and getting everything ready for the months ahead. But it’s also the perfect opportunity to think about how we can make more sustainable choices and embrace the circular economy. This month, we are exploring how simple reuse initiatives, from giving school uniforms and stationery a second life to celebrating the inspiring work taking place at St. Colm’s High School, can reduce waste, save money and help create a more sustainable start to the school year.