Western Australian schools have received more than $100,000 for projects that reduce the amount of waste disposed of to landfill.
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson today announced a record 34 grants for 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.
Kerry Street Community School in Hamilton Hill will receive $8,799 to set up a community recycling hub in a shipping container – encouraging reuse and repurposing of items otherwise destined for landfill.
Winterfold Primary School in Beaconsfield will spend its $4,392 grant on a dishwasher and reusable containers to cut waste from its canteen, and co-mingled recycling bins to make recycling more accessible for students.
More than 127,000 children attend 304 accredited Waste Wise Schools across WA. The program delivers educational resources aimed at changing behaviour to avoid the generation of waste and encourage diverting waste from landfill.
Last year, accredited schools recycled 199,000 kilograms of paper and diverted 89,000 kilograms of fruit and vegetable scraps from landfill through worm farming and composting. Waste Wise accredited schools also recycle batteries, mobile phones, ink cartridges, coffee pods and toothbrushes.
The Waste Wise Schools program is funded by the State Government through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account, administered by the Waste Authority.
For more information on the program or to become accredited, visit http://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/programs/wws