Last Friday, the Environmental Action Committee conducted a waste audit across the school, with the guidance of Shannon from Resource Smart Schools. The audit involved a thorough examination of waste management practices in various areas, including the Year 7 and Year 9 Homerooms, the oval, the Canteen, the Atrium, and the Staff Room.

We were pleased to observe that the Staff Room bins were relatively well sorted; however, the audit revealed that many other bins around the school were not being used correctly. A significant number of recycling bins were contaminated with food waste, while several landfill bins contained items that could have been recycled. Additionally, organic bins were frequently contaminated with plastic, and we identified an opportunity to generate additional funds for the school through greater participation in the container deposit scheme.

We would like to extend our thanks to our Acting Principal, Ms Smyth, for her support during the audit. She participated actively, assisting with the sorting process and demonstrating a hands-on commitment to improving our school’s waste management practices. We also wish to express our gratitude to the Student Environmental Action Leaders and the many volunteers who assisted with the audit. Their dedication and efficiency were invaluable in ensuring the success of this initiative.

The audit has provided us with valuable insights into the current state of waste management at the College. Moving forward, we plan to educate staff further on proper waste sorting during our upcoming professional development session. Additionally, we will be hosting a whole-school Sustainability Assembly to raise awareness and encourage more responsible waste disposal practices amongst students. We look forward to sharing more details with you in the coming weeks as we work together to enhance our school’s sustainability efforts.

Emily Aherne and Sarah Avitabile

Teachers: Sustainability Leaders