Joined the Waste Wise program in 2009 and successfully applied for their first grant soon after. They have a strong waste committee and with 100 per cent support from staff, teachers and education assistants. They have been able to set up a whole school waste approach and significantly reduce waste sent to landfill.

"If you want a successful Waste Wise project ensure that there is a whole of school approach with agreed strategies being written into the school plan." Paul Neates, Principal

Hampton Park Primary joined the Waste Wise program in 2009 and successfully applied for their first grant soon after. They have a strong waste committee and with 100 per cent support from staff, teachers and education assistants. The school have been able to set up a whole school waste approach and significantly reduce waste sent to landfill.

Their first grant was used to purchase paper making kits. This hands-on approach has every classroom involved in recycling envelopes collected by students. So far students have recycled over 10,000 envelopes and they've got the stamps to prove it! Stamps are donated to Oxfam and the school's remaining paper is collected and recycled.

By applying the concept of reducing, reusing and recycling all 420 students have not only reduced waste but they've also helped many charities and formed strong community partnerships. They've collected and sent 195 pairs of spectacles and 35 boxes of books overseas. Blankets and towels have been given to animal shelters plus toys and clothing have been donated to local charities.

For four years Hampton Park has been running a successful Technology and Enterprise day where each class produces something to sell. In 2010 the hand-painted coffee jars were very popular. Half the money raised was donated. Other items such as batteries, ink cartridges, aluminium cans, magazines, mobile phones, ring pulls and plastic containers are collected for reuse or recycling.

The parents and students have also changed the way they pack lunches making every day a low waste lunch day. The waste messages made it home with many parents now buying in bulk and greatly reducing plastic use.

With all these engaging projects they were ready to apply for the $10,000 Waste Wise grant. This grant focused on reducing food waste by setting up worm farms and a Waste Wise Garden. Bringing old fridges back to life, the Year 6 and 7 classes set up fridge worm farms and became the school's worm experts. They proved their commitment to reducing waste when their stunning garden was built using fourteen second-hand stainless steel tubs donated by a hotel in Scarborough. Now that the infrastructure is in placethe school has been able to close the loop on their organic recycling by using compost, worm leachate and castings on their sustainable garden.

"Kids love hands on projects and projects that are relevant. The Waste wise program can suit both brilliantly and hence captures kids very easily.The support we have received from parents and other community members (including the City of Bayswater) has been outstanding." Paul Neates, Principal

"My advice to other teachers wanting to apply for the grant is to include as many people as possible in the project. Spread the load and the enthusiasm and the whole project will come together easily." Glynis Cardy, Teacher