Secondary schools are tasked with becoming sustainable institutions but this can be difficult to achieve because of a lack of time, shortage of project ideas and limited environmental management expertise. The Eco-Schools initiative exists to overcome these issues, and lessons learned from some schools in Scotland can help other schools implement the programme effectively. To do so, pupils must be given time out of class to carry out their environmental responsibilities. Once pupil time has been secured, interesting eco-projects centred on the principles of environmental management should be set. The pupils then need an experienced and dedicated 'eco-teacher'to lead them through measured success