Schools lead the way on reducing waste

Western Australian schools have shared more than $35,000 for projects that reduce the amount of waste disposed into landfill.

WA Environment Minister Stephen Dawson announced funding for 15 Western Australian schools accredited under the Waste Wise Schools program.

The money will be spent on a range of sustainable waste projects at schools – from kitchen gardens, worm farms, recycling bins and composters to garden tools and chickens.

St Patrick’s Primary School in Fremantle will spend the $2,200 grant to set up a composting system and encourage waste free lunches.

St Joseph’s School in Moora will spend its $1,763.94 grant to set up compost bins, a worm farm, paper making, brick makers and containers for food recycling.

Bluff Point Primary School in Geraldton will use its grant of $2,145.29 to collect and recycle plastics, paper and organic materials.

More than 120,000 children attended 329 accredited Waste Wise Schools across WA in 2018. The program delivers educational resources aimed at changing behaviour to avoid the generation of waste and encourage diverting waste from landfill.

Accredited WWS schools are empowering their community by spreading the ‘avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle’ messages and providing their students and community with practical activities that raise awareness and reduce waste.

The Waste Wise Schools program is funded by the State Government through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account, administered by the Waste Authority.

Source: WA Government