Levenseat Workshop – Hollybrook Academy

School: Hollybrook Academy

Type of Activity: Workshop

Name of Employer: Levenseat Ltd

Case Study:

The Brief:

Levenseat Ltd is a Scottish waste management company that has been at the forefront of resource recovery and recycling for nearly 40 years. With a strong commitment to sustainability, the company has pioneered new waste treatment technologies to reduce landfill dependency and promote a circular economy. 

Levenseat Ltd has an educational initiative called Learn with Levenseat, which provides resources and activities to help pupils understand recycling and waste management. They offer interactive games, videos, and worksheets designed for children and teachers to explore topics like zero waste, recycling, and energy from waste. Their program aligns with Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, making it a valuable resource for schools. 

The Visit:

The visit was run by Lisa Heffernan who is the Community Engagement Officer at Levenseat Ltd. Her role focuses on education and employment, working with local authorities and young people to promote waste management and recycling awareness. She has done workshops at Cardinal Winning before in the past and I was given her contact details in the hopes of organising another visit.  

She helps develop tailored educational content to engage pupils and communities in sustainability efforts. Her work is part of Levenseat’s broader mission to encourage environmental responsibility through learning initiatives and outreach programs. 

On this particular visit Lisa brought in a bag of rubbish; newspapers, cereal boxes, food containers, drink bottles, crisp wrappers and much more. She did this for the purpose of an activity to do with the pupils. It’s a Waste Sorting Challenge she has done before with pupils that has been very well received. The challenge involves pupils physically sorting different types of waste into recyclable, compostable, and landfill categories. 

Setup & Introduction: 

Lisa introduced the activity, explaining the importance of correct waste disposal and how different materials impact the environment. Pupils were provided with bins labelled for different waste categories: paper, plastic, metals and not sure. The pupils were put into small groups and given a selection of mixed waste items to sort through (all clean). They had to examine each item and decide which bin it should go into. Discussions prompted by the class teacher followed as pupils justified their choices for what product goes into which bin.  

At the end of the activity when all rubbish had been sorted through, Lisa explains common mistakes (e.g., greasy pizza boxes can’t be recycled, certain plastics require special processing). Things that seem easy to recycle but are tricky. The class teacher prompts pupils to reflect on how incorrect sorting can impact recycling efficiency and landfill waste. This activity was very engaging and helped illustrate how incorrect sorting leads to contamination and why proper recycling practices matter.

Career Pathways Discussions:

Lisa provided insight into varied roles within the waste management and sustainability sector, helping pupils see potential education and job opportunities: Engineering and technical roles, Environmental science careers, Logistics and Operations, and Business and Policy development.

Some of these job roles include environmental engineers, analysists, sustainability coordinators, site technicians and marketing officers.

Objectives:

• Increase Awareness of Waste Management – Help pupils understand the importance of recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability. 
• Demonstrate Practical Applications – Show how science, engineering, and business play a role in the waste management industry. 
• Develop Skills & Knowledge – Offer hands-on activities to develop problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking. 
• Promote Sustainable Practices Locally – Encourage pupils to take active roles in environmental initiatives within their communities. 

Benefits:

• Enhanced Career Awareness – Pupils learned about different job roles, and potential career paths. 
• Pupils gain practical experience in waste sorting and recycling processes.
• Encourages critical thinking about environmental responsibility in daily life. 

Testimonials:

“I thought the rubbish was dirty and didn’t like that. But it was clean, so it was okay, and I felt better doing it.’’ (Pupil taking about taking part in the waste sorting activity) 

“The presentation was very informative especially the part telling us what the plant does with certain recyclables that are gasifier to be converted into energy.’’ (Class teacher)