How do high schools integrate waste audits into their curriculum?
Kalamunda Senior High School
Kalamunda Senior High School Year 11 and 12 students conducted a waste audit as part of their assessment for a Certificate II in Workplace Skills and a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management.
Students efficiently sorted, measured, and recorded the different streams of waste. Once the waste was sorted, the WasteSorted Schools staff discussed each of the streams of waste with the students and highlighted ones that could be potentially avoided, recycled or earth cycled. Students will use the data collected to create future waste avoidance and reduction plans for the school.
Perth Waldorf School
Perth Waldorf School’s Year 9 Ecology class conducted a waste audit to gather data on the quantities and types of waste that they are sending to landfill. Using this data, they will now research and develop plans to reduce their waste to landfill, including improving recycling facilities and communicating the avoid message to the wider school community.
WasteSorted Schools offer free waste audits for schools, which provide invaluable data to direct future waste management projects and decisions. These audits are suitable for students from Year 3 – Year 12.
For more information or to book a waste audit please contact: wastesortedschools@dwer.wa.gov.au
Upcoming workshops
WasteSorted Schools Teach Meet: waste and sustainability in schools
Date: Tuesday 20th June
Time: 4:30 – 6:30pm
Venue: The Bendat Parent and Community Centre, Dodd St, Wembley
Hear from primary and secondary teachers at accredited WasteSorted Schools about successful waste management practices they have implemented at their school. Presentations will be in 2 separate rooms - one for primary and one for secondary schools.
Term 3 Student Meet: waste and sustainability in secondary schools
Date: Tuesday 1st August
Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Venue: St Norbert's College, Queens Park
Hear from secondary students about the successful waste management and sustainability practices they have implemented at their schools. Students will share their experiences and ideas about what they have set up, how they run it, and how they engage the rest of the school.
Grants 2023
Grants Opening 8th May, Closing 1st August.
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. All accredited WasteSorted Schools are eligible to apply.
Please see the website for more information on how to apply.
WasteSorted Schools grant webinar
We recently hosted a grants webinar where some frequently asked questions were discussed. Some of the topics covered were
- school and project eligibility
- the grant application and approval process
- different project ideas
If you would like a copy of this recording, or if you have any questions about applying for a grant, please contact us at: wastesortedschools@dwer.wa.gov.au
Book an incursion
Have you heard about the WasteSorted Race? This fun, interactive activity can help teach your students about the importance of sorting their waste into the correct bin, both at home and at school.
For more information or to book an incursion please contact wastesortedschools@dwer.wa.gov.au
Useful resources
Start planning for Plastic Free Term 3
From its beginnings right here in WA, Plastic Free July has grown to become a global sustainability movement. With their Plastic Free Schools Challenge you can now inspire your school to make a difference with solutions to single-use plastic all year round.
To sign up for the challenge and access their resources, follow the link below.
Caring for Country Together is the Department of Education’s sustainability framework that provides strategic direction for sustainability across schools. The roadmap provided can guide schools towards embedding sustainability into their school culture.
Head to the AAEEWA website to access these free, printable boardgames to use in your classroom when teaching about the importance of recycling or composting.
Just for fun
Apparently adding herbs to your waste can makes it smell better…
But I don't have thyme for that rubbish.
For more information about the items in this newsletter or for any questions about the WasteSorted Schools Program, please contact us at wastesortedschools@dwer.wa.gov.au