The Eco-Code

It’s a requirement for the Silver and Green Flag awards that the centre has agreed, adopted and displayed an Eco-Code. The Eco-Code is your mission statement – it should demonstrate, in a clear and imaginative way, your centre’s commitment to improving your environmental performance.

It should focus on the main objectives of your Action Plan, covering real actions that the children and staff intend to carry out. The whole centre, led by the Eco-Committee, should have a key role in developing the code. This will give them a greater sense of responsibility for the values it represents.

Prominent Display

The Eco-Code may take the form of simple phrases or a poem. You may consider a song as this seems to work particularly well with younger children. You could even add a fun element by making it a competition! Your Eco-Code should be displayed throughout your centre on notice boards, in classrooms, staff rooms and corridors.

The Eco-Committee should understand that an Eco-Code, like any behaviour or other code, will fail to have meaning if those it’s aimed at don’t understand and believe in its content. It’s more likely to be effective if it’s created alongside other changes brought about by the Eco-Committee, rather than simply brainstormed, written and displayed. This is why an Eco-Code isn’t a requirement of the Bronze award as you’re at the very beginning of the learning process.