Southern Downs students are getting waste sorted!
Hundreds of Southern Downs students recently discovered how easy it is to go about the important work of minimising their household waste footprint.
Sixteen primary schools and kindies across the region participated in Southern Downs Regional Council’s free education program “Waste: Let’s sort it out!”, a grass roots initiative designed to support and empower teachers and students on their journey towards sustainable waste management behaviour.
Southern Downs Director of Sustainable Development, Jane Stroud said that targeting the inquisitive young minds of primary school students delivers life-long changes to waste behaviour.
“Educating and informing is key to changing how we perceive and contribute to smart and sustainable waste practices such as recycling and backyard composting,” said Ms Stroud.
“Young people are the change makers of our future and show a lot of enthusiasm when learning about initiatives that will benefit their community or protect and preserve the environment.
“As a community, we need to reduce excess and unnecessary waste to prolong the life of our landfill and Council’s waste education program focuses on the importance of reducing waste at home and how recycling positively impacts the environment.
“Education around waste management at a grass roots level with fun and interactive engagement is a great way to engage young minds on the subject and is yet another way forward to securing our region’s sustainability.”
Recent sessions held across the region provided guidance, advice and training to engage schools and kindies in on-site waste management issues to inform the development of sustainable and achievable waste management solutions.
Topics included:
· The Wonderful World of Worms
· Rethink, Reduce and Reuse
· Think Food, Rethink Waste
· What’s in Your Waste?
While being up-skilled and armed with planet saving knowledge on reducing waste, participating students also received a free goody bag which included a mini wheelie bin, reusable sandwich box, pencils made from recyclable material, fridge magnet, information brochure and a cut-out to make their very own recycling truck.
The next program will be offered again in June 2021 and educators are invited to contact Council on 1300 697 372 to secure a visit to your school.