The team at WasteSorted Schools are here to support you and your schools in your efforts to reduce waste to landfill. We can offer advice and support across a range of areas including applying for accreditation, grant applications, setting up waste stations, school visits and waste audits. Please feel free to get in touch about any issues you are having. We are always here to help.
Hampton Park Primary School
With more than 15 years of WasteSorted Schools accreditation, Hampton Park Primary School has seen its waste education program evolve over time. While the school has introduced a range of waste-sorting initiatives across the years, when they were provided with the results from a whole school waste audit, they decided there was still more that could be done.
To further reduce the amount of food waste being sent to landfill, the school reinvigorated its composting program. Each classroom was provided with a new food scraps bin to collect all food waste. These bins are emptied twice a week by the Year 4 Waste Warriors, who play a key role in managing the system. The Waste Warriors sort the food scraps, feeding some to the school’s worm farms while the remaining waste is transferred into one of the school’s five compost cones. The students then rinse the bins and return them to the classrooms. Once the compost is ready, it is used to help grow food in the school’s edible garden beds.
All students spend time in the school garden as part of their sustainability classes. During these sessions, students take on specific responsibilities, including aerating and watering the compost, checking on the worms, planting seeds, watering plants, weeding, sweeping, and carrying out general garden maintenance. In addition to these timetabled sessions, the garden remains open for students to enjoy throughout the school day. While occasional minor issues arise, students demonstrate a strong sense of ownership and respect for the space.
The composting program and gardens are overseen by Lisa Bowden in her role as a Year 4 classroom teacher and Sustainability teacher. In her sustainability role, Lisa teaches each class for one lesson per week, with Years 3–6 timetabled in Semester 1 and Years 1 and 2 in Semester 2. Alongside sustainability education, Lisa also incorporates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures by teaching students about Noongar seasons and language.
Although the Pre‑primary classes do not currently access the school’s edible gardens, they have their own system managed by Allison Annett and the staff and students in that area. Food scraps are processed using worm farms and subpods‑ that have been buried in their raised garden beds.
In addition to the edible gardens, the school is also home to Henton Park, an impressive chicken coop built from recycled pallets by Sandro, the school gardener. Demonstrating a successful closed loop system, the Sustainability Student Councillors feed the chickens using scraps from the school canteen, and the eggs collected are then returned for use in the canteen. The chickens have been a very popular addition to the school community, with plans underway to construct a mobile chicken coop so the chickens can visit the Pre-Primary area one or two days each week.
If you have stories of your own that you would like to share, get in touch at wastesortedschools@dwer.wa.gov.au.
2026 accreditation survey now open
Accreditation provides recognition of a school’s commitment to reducing waste. It helps to embed waste avoidance and resource recovery into the school culture and provides support for projects and initiatives.
You can apply or renew your school’s accreditation via our Online Portal.
2026 grant rounds
- Round 1: Opened 27 January, closes 10 March at 4pm
- Round 2: Opening June 2026
WasteSorted Schools grants provide funding for schools to set up infrastructure and initiatives that avoid and recover school waste. Grants of up to $5,500 are available and all 2026 accredited WasteSorted Schools are eligible to apply.
Please contact one of our team to chat about your project before you start. We would be happy to support you with project ideas and tips on the grant application process.
High schools – Hannah Lalor, Hannah.Lalor@dwer.wa.gov.au
Primary Schools – Aoife McCabe, Aoife.McCabe@dwer.wa.gov.au
Regional schools – Megan Mentz, Megan.Mentz@dwer.wa.gov.au
Please see the website for more information on how to apply.
Plastic Free Riverpark grant program
The Plastic Free Riverpark Program aims to reduce single-use packaging in and around the Swan Canning Riverpark. Their grants are designed to help Swan Canning Riverpark businesses and venues to adopt reusable alternatives to single-use packaging.
If your school canteen is within 2km of the Swan Canning Riverpark, and you are interested in switching to reusable options, you could apply for grant funding here: Plastic Free Riverpark Program | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Term 1 workshops
WasteSorted Schools workshop
Date: Thursday 26 February
Time: 9am – 3pm
Venue: City of Melville EcoHub, Winthrop
Join us for a full day of talk about the WasteSorted Schools Program. This workshop will cater for new and advanced schools, with a morning session split between two rooms depending on if your school is accredited with WasteSorted Schools.
Register: WasteSorted Schools workshop
WasteSorted Schools Teach Meet: waste and sustainability in primary and secondary schools
Date: Tuesday 10 March
Time: 4pm – 6.30pm
Venue: City of Melville EcoHub, Winthrop
Hear from primary and secondary accredited WasteSorted Schools about successful waste management practices implemented at their school. They will share ideas and experiences about how they have created a successful program including set up, maintenance, and engaging students and the wider school community.
Register: 2026 Teach Meet: waste and sustainability in primary and secondary schools
WasteSorted Schools organics workshop
Date: Tuesday 24 March
Time: 9am – 3pm
Venue: Kyilla Primary School, North Perth
Join the team from WasteSorted Schools and Robyn Brown from Waste is my Resource for a day all about organics recycling and edible food gardening.
Register: WasteSorted Schools organics workshop
Save the date - WasteSorted Schools Student Meet
This years Student Meet will be hosted by Aquinas College on Tuesday 18 August. It will run for a full day, 9.30am - 2.30pm. This event is for high school students and staff who want to work together to drive change in waste and sustainability at their school. Each school can register to bring up to 15 students.
Find more information and register your school here: https://events.humanitix.com/student-meet-2026
You can also check out this video to learn more about our past student meet events. WasteSorted Schools Student Meet
Regional workshops
Webinar: WasteSorted Schools for beginners in regional settings
Date: Thursday 12 March
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Venue: Online
Join us to learn about the benefits of the WasteSorted Schools program and how to get your regional school involved.
This webinar will include specific examples of what other regional schools are doing, as well as breakout rooms to allow you to discuss what comes next.
The workshop is suitable for primary and secondary school staff including teachers, principals, administration staff, gardeners and parents. This webinar is free to attend, and a half day relief reimbursement is available for two staff from each school.
Register: Webinar: WasteSorted Schools for beginners in regional settings
Yearly planner
Cool.org have a school events and awareness days calendar that is available to download for free from their website. Awareness events are a great way to get students involved in meaningful learning. Get your free copy here.
Incursions
Waste Audit
Conducting a waste audit is a necessary step to becoming an accredited WasteSorted School. This fun and informative incursion helps you find out the types and amount of waste your school produces. The data collected can be used to prioritise and improve existing waste projects.
WasteSorted Race
Are your students struggling with the correct waste sorting behaviours? Or have you introduced a new bin system at your school, like paper recycling or FOGO? Book our WasteSorted Race incursion to help students learn the importance of source separation.
Paper Making Kit
If you are looking for a hands-on way to educate your student about the recycling process, why not borrow our paper making kit? This kit contains all the equipment needed for you and your students to participate in the process of turning old, scrap paper into new, usable paper.
To organise a booking in the metro area, please contact us at wastesortedschool@dwer.wa.gov.au
Local government waste education
Switch Your Thinking
Switch Your Thinking has launched a new Schools Engagement Program, offering free Sustainability Education and Support Services to schools within the City of Gosnells, City of Armadale, and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
This program is designed to help schools embed sustainability into their learning programs and operations. It includes:
Assembly presentations to inspire whole of school action;
Class incursions tailored to different year levels and curriculum outcomes; and
Policy development support, including help to create sustainability policies and action plans for programs such as WasteSorted and Waterwise schools.
An Expression of Interest (EOI) form was emailed to schools at the end of last year and spaces have been filling quickly. If you're a school in the City of Gosnells, City of Armadale, and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale be sure to check your emails.
For more information or to get involved, email schools@switchyourthinking.com
City of Joondalup
Global Recycling Day competition
City of Joondalup schools can celebrate Global Recycling Day 2026 by testing staff and student waste sorting knowledge via their online waste sorting game. It only takes 30 seconds to play and entrants with a score of 6 or more can enter the draw to win a prize.
Contact Sasha.Brampton@joondalup.wa.gov.au to express your interest and find out more.
Waste Sorting Battle incursions
The City of Joondalup is offering complimentary Waste Sorting Battle incursions for schools within the City. The incursion is designed for a classroom scenario, ages 10 and above, and requires each student to have access to a web browser. Students test their waste sorting knowledge in a structured 'battle' style competition, acquiring new skills to level up their score and climb the competition ladder.
Contact inwards.wastemail@joondalup.wa.gov.au to express your interest and find out more.
City of Vincent
Waste sorting workshop “Where does it go?” with Peg Davies
Date: Saturday 21 February 2026
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Venue: City of Vincent Library, 99 Loftus Street, Leederville
Peg Davies will facilitate an engaging and hands-on session all about waste and what to do with it- she is a wealth of knowledge on waste and sustainability and will happily answer questions from attendees. This event is suitable for adults and families.
Registrations:
https://events.humanitix.com/where-does-it-go-waste-sorting-workshop-with-peg-davies
Upcoming events
Schools Clean Up Day Friday 27 February
Schools Clean Up Day is coming up on Friday 27 February 2026. School students and educators around Australia will be rolling up their sleeves to take part in Schools Clean Up Day. It’s a fun, hands-on way for students to learn about caring for the environment while making a real impact in their school grounds and local community.
Schools can register to receive a free Clean Up kit, packed with materials and resources to help teachers run a safe and impactful event.
Get Involved Students and Educators - Clean Up Australia
Clean Up Australia has teamed up with Cool.org to create resources and curriculum-linked lesson plans to help you maximise the learning potential of your School Clean Up event.
Global Recycling Day 18 March
Every year Global Recycling Day recognises Recycling Heroes, the people, places and activities that showcase the vital role recycling plays in contributing to an environmentally stable planet and a greener future for all.
To nominate a Recycling Hero you must create a video (90 to 120 seconds) showcasing the nominee’s recycling contributions in areas like businesses, schools, or communities. Entries must be submitted by 6 March 2026.
Find more information here: 2025 Competition – Global Recycling Day
Earth Hour Schools Day Friday 27 March
Saving nature demands urgent collective action, and every small action contributes to a more sustainable future. Earth Hour Schools Day is the perfect opportunity to have fun with the young people in your life, learn about the importance of nature, and take practical action for animals and our environment.
Participating in Earth Hour connects students to a worldwide movement. Register your school to participate in Earth Hour Schools Day and download resources created with WWF Australia
Just for fun
