The EFG Educa educational project, which has been introducing children and educators to the topics of waste separation and recycling for more than three years, is now expanding to kindergartens for the first time this year. The company presented this new program for the youngest children at the 8th annual “Nakopni svoji školu” (“Kickstart Your School”) festival in Litomyšl. The project’s goal is to show children from a very young age that even seemingly ordinary waste can have other uses, such as serving as a source of energy. The programs therefore explain topics related to waste management in a way appropriate for the target age group—from the basics of waste sorting and recycling to concrete examples of its eco-friendly energy utilization in practice.
The “Nakopněte svoji školu” (“Kickstart Your School”) festival, which took place from February 22 to 24, 2026, annually connects teachers and school principals from across the Czech Republic, provides a platform for sharing new approaches to education. EFG Educa presented its programs focused, among other things, on the proper management of food waste and its use for energy production in biogas plants. Emphasis is placed on clarity and practicality in the classroom so that both children and educators can easily grasp the principles and apply them to the day-to-day operations of schools.
As part of the festival, school representatives were also introduced to another Energy financial group project focused on the separation and collection of food waste, “Třídím gastro.” This builds on EFG Educa’s educational programs and offers institutions a practical solution for the eco-friendly disposal of kitchen scraps and uneaten meals, which are generated in large quantities in school cafeterias.
From Uneaten Snacks to Energy: A Topic That Captivated Educators
During the three-day program, educators had the opportunity to explore the entire portfolio of the EFG Educa project and, in doing so, the “life cycle” of food waste—from its generation and sorting in school cafeterias to its conversion into biomethane at biogas plants. It was precisely this practical perspective, which connects the everyday reality of schools with the ecological energy utilization of waste, that sparked great interest.
Many participants were surprised to learn that even common food scraps, such as uneaten snacks or lunches, can be a valuable source of energy. These examples demonstrated how children can be easily taught that waste doesn’t have to end up in landfills.
“The interest shown by educators has confirmed to us that schools are looking for new ways to clearly explain the principles of the circular economy and responsible waste management to children. We now want to start with the youngest children, because it is at an early age that children best acquire habits that will stay with them for the rest of their lives,” says Gabriela Lenderová, project manager of educational programs at EFG Educa.
From Preschools to High Schools
EFG Educa programs are designed to be practical, easy to understand, and simple to integrate into the classroom. Participating schools receive a certificate recognizing their support for sustainability education. The programs are tailored for children from preschool age to high school
. The project is accompanied by the website efg-educa.cz, as well as Facebook and Instagram accounts, which provide teachers and students with educational articles, tips, and interesting facts about ecology and sustainable development. The project’s website also offers a free downloadable teaching methodology for high schools that meets the objectives of the Framework Educational Program for high schools in the area of environmental education.
