NICKLIN SCHOOLS GET SMART WITH ORGANIC WASTE

The Palaszczuk Government has been overwhelmed with Queensland schools and students wanting to join in the Organics Waste Smart Schools Program.

“We received a staggering 250 applications from state schools wanting to reduce their organic waste by motivating their communities to turn food and garden scraps into useable compost and other materials,”

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said.

“I am pleased to announce that we have now selected 217 successful projects that we will support with total funding of almost $500,000.

“The Organic Waste Smart Schools Program allows schools to apply for up to $2500 for projects such as composting and worm farm systems, behaviour change initiatives, circular food waste systems and more.”

Member for Nicklin, Robert Skelton MP said schools showed a great deal of imagination in coming up with projects that would encourage young students to become environmentally conscious adults by putting systems in place at school and at home to cut down on organic waste going to landfill.

“For example, Chevallum State School will be installing wheelie bin worm farms in key locations around the school and Nambour State College will establish a Woorie Waste Warriors program, managed by the school’s incoming student Environmental Leaders,” Mr Skelton said,
“Burnside State Primary will setup compost and separation bins, Federal State School will purchase a mulcher to turn food waste into fertiliser, and North Arm state school will use the funds to establish the ‘Matter Matters’ program, complementing their existing recycling programs.

Principal of Nambour State College’s primary campus, Mrs Bec Hutton, said “this exciting program helped shine a light on the great work the College has already been doing in raising awareness about the importance of effective waste disposal, recycling and sustainability,
“We are delighted to be a part of this very promising program because it ties in perfectly with the environmental leadership goals of Nambour State College which is all about understanding, caring for and working sustainably with what we’ve got.

Thanks to this grant, our Woorie Waste Warriors Program will be able to provide our students with the ideal, everyday learning that nothing goes to waste, and that through consistent composting and recycling efforts, we too can make a difference to our local environment.”

Ms Scanlon said there was “a wave of momentum” in Queensland communities looking to reduce their waste, increase their recycling and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Avoiding and reducing organic waste is a strong first step,” Minister Scanlon said.

“Organic matter, such as food and garden waste, make up to 50 per cent of what goes in domestic waste bins.

“This program allows us to help educate the next generation about how to reduce, reuse and recycle, which benefits everyone in the long run.”