Environment and Resource Management

Do the right thing, use the right bin - Schools Project

What is available?

Queensland primary schools listed below have successfully applied for free waste minimisation infrastructure and awareness raising materials including:

  

Schools can also access:

A guideline (PDF, 786K)* on how to implement a waste minimisation system has been prepared to assist schools with compiling their list.

If you have enquiries regarding the school program, please email: schoolrecycling@derm.qld.gov.au

Background

Introducing new waste minimisation systems into schools offers the opportunity to reduce overall waste generation, educate on proper waste reduction practices and instill a sense of leadership and responsibility in young people. Working with schools to change behaviour provides a unique opportunity to form the behaviours of people during earlystages of development.

It is well known that habits built in school years only need re-enforcement rather than a complete turn-around in behaviour in later years. School children can also be a very effective way of communicating waste minimisation messages back home and to the broader community.

Evidence from evaluations of school waste reduction program in Victoria indicates that success in achieving waste management outcomes occurs when schools adopt a whole school approach, integrating waste management into:

Following the 'whole school approach,' DERM is partnering with the Department of Education and Training (DET) to introduce full waste minimisation systems into schools in the Year of Environment and Sustainability 2010.  The project will work towards the existing Queensland Government commitment to expand the number of environmentally sustainable Earth Smart Science (ESS) primary schools to 1000 over the next three years and reduce waste in schools by 50% by 2012. 

In partnership with DET, DERM has successfully applied to the Australian Packaging Covenant for $150,000 towards DERM's 'Do the right thing, use the right bin' schools project. A total funding pot of $340,000 is now available to all state and non-state primary schools to implement new waste minimisation practices in the Year of Environment and Sustainability.

How does this project tie in with Council initiatives?

How do we measure our waste and recycling?

To monitor progress effectively you need a starting point in time, this is what is commonly referred to as 'baseline data.' 

Just before the collection truck arrives, go around all waste bins presented for collection to observe how full they are. Don't worry if you have different sized bins, just note down the sizes and fullness, for example a standard domestic 240 litre wheelie bin is 50% full. 

Once you have your waste minimisation system in place download and complete data collection sheets (PDF, 345K)* for each waste stream e.g. waste, recycling, paper/cardboard, and refer to the volume conversion table (PDF, 404K)* if you don't know the volume of your bins. Keep the complete data collection sheets as a record so you can monitor progress.

Successful schools

The school project received 151 applications from Primary Schools across Queensland. Over 50,000 Primary School students across Queensland will soon be reducing waste in their school and learning about recycling and waste minimisation.

The following schools have successfully applied for the ‘Do the right thing, use the right bin’ School Project.

Alligator Creek State, Anakie State, Atherton State, Ayr State, Bambaroo State, Beerwah State, Benaraby State, Benarkin State, Biloela State, Boyne Island State, Bray Park State, Brighton State, Brookfield State, Builyan State, Butchers Creek State, Byfield State, Cawarral State, Cedar Creek State, Chatswood Hills State, Chelona State, Chevallum State, Clinton State, Coolangatta State, Coolum State, Cooran State, Crows Nest State, Currumbin Community Farm Campus, Currumbin State, Dakabin State, Delaneys Creek State, Dingo State, Drayton State, Eagle Junction State, Eagleby State, East Ayr State, Edens Landing State, Edge Hill State, Emu Park State, Eton State, Eumundi State, Eungella State, Farnborough State, Ferny Hills State, Fortitude Valley State, Gabbinbar State, Geham State, Gladstone Central State, Glamorgan Vale State, Glenella State, Golden Beach State, Hamilton State, Helensvale State, Herberton State, Holy Spirit School (Townsville), Home Hill Primary, Inala State, Indooroopilly State, Ingleside State, Iona College (Junior Campus), Ipswich North State, Islamic College of Brisbane (Junior Campus), Jambin State, Kairi State, Kenmore South State, Kin Kora State, Kinchant Outdoor Education Centre, Kulpi State, Labrador State, Malanda Primary State, Manly State, Manly West State, Mansfield State, Marian State, Millaa Millaa State, Minimbah State, Mirani State, Miriam Vale State, Moranbah East State, Moranbah State, Morayfield East State, Moreton Bay Boys College (Junior Campus), Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre, Mount Crosby State, Mt Cotton State, Mt Garnet State, Mt Larcom State, Mt Murchinson State, Nagoorin State, Narangba State, Nashville State, New Farm State, Newmarket State, Nobby State, Nudgee Beach Environmental Education Centre, Oakleigh State, Pacific Paradise State, Palm Beach State, Paluma Environmental Education Centre, Pittsworth State, Pomona State, Port Curtis Road State, Prospect Creek State, Queens Beach State, Rangeville State, Redland Bay State, Robertson State, Runcorn State, Sacred Heart (Yeppoon), Sacred Heart Primary (Toowoomba), Springfield College (Junior Campus), St Augustine's School, St Benedict's Primary, St Brigid's Primary School, St Flannans Primary, St James Lutheran College, St Joseph's Biloela, St Joseph's Primary (Kangaroo Point), St Joseph's Primary (Rockhampton), St Kierans Primary, St Michaels College, Stuart State, Sunbury State, Taabinga State, Tallebudgera State, Tannum Sands State, Taranganba State, The Willows State, Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre, Tolga Primary School, Tullawong State, Two Mile State, Ubobo State, Upper Coomera State College (Junior Campus), Warrigal Road State, Wavell Heights State, Wellcamp State, Wellington Point State, Wilston State, Windsor State, Withcott State, Wondall Heights State, Woodhill State, Woodlinks State, Wooloowin State, Woombye State, Woongoolba State, Wowan State, Wynnum State, Wynnum West State, Yarwun State, Yeppoon State

 

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Last updated 10 January 2012

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