Waste
The Sustainable Schools Victoria Waste Theme is proudly supported by EcoRecycle Victoria through the Waste Wise Schools Program. Schools are encouraged to undertake their Waste theme through this award-winning, free program.
Through the Waste theme, students are encouraged to take control of many aspects of the school’s waste. They may accept challenges to reduce the school’s litter problems and experiment with educational strategies and improving the school’s rubbish system. They may develop recycling collection systems. The school may review their purchasing policies to identify ways to reduce waste. The school community may reconsider their use of photocopiers.
When we reduce, reuse, recycle and compost waste, we reduce resource and energy use and less rubbish goes to landfill. On top of this, schools will save money that can be better spent more directly on student education.
There are many ways that schools can manage their waste, such as:
- Changing their purchasing policies
- Reducing the use of photocopy paper
- Managing their canteens
- Composting and mulching greenwaste
- Recycling paper and other products
- Reducing packaging
- Student projects designed to change student behaviour towards dropping litter
What Sustainable Schools can expect to achieve
- Reduce waste in the first year by 30%.
- Reduce litter in the school grounds by 50%.
- Reduce the cost of photocopy paper by 20%.
- Set up a reuse paper system
- Set up a recycling system
- Some schools will set up a composting system
Inspiring Schools
Visit our Case Studies to read about the achievements of Sustainable Schools in the area of waste and litter. Cobden Technical School has been a leader in waste, recycling and reuse of resouces and has established some enterprising community waste initiatives with economic spin-offs for the school.
Resource Links
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A display of reusable bags helps demonstrate alternatives to plastic bags
Students take responsibility for managing the paper recycling
Click to View Video – Display of alternatives to plastic bags.
Students describe how a display of corn starch and other reusable bags remind students and visitors of options to plastic
Click to View Video – Paper recycling at Williamstown High.
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The Victorian Sustainable Schools pilot was developed and delivered by Gould League and CERES Community Environment Park with major funding support from the Federal Department of Environment and Heritage and additional funding provided by the Victorian Government and Philanthopric Trusts.