Project aim
 To
establish green waste processing in schools, and
to assist schools to establish better green
waste reduction practices through composting and
worm farming
Project methodology
- Source separation and auditing of food
waste in the playground and other areas.
- Selection of appropriate composting and
worm farming systems.
- Installation of preferred systems in
each of the 42 participating institutions.
- Contribution of a minimum of $425 to
each institution for infrastructure and
materials to assist implementation.
- Integration of the process into both the
curriculum and management of the
institution.
- Intensive teacher on-site training and
development.
- Entering onto a database the results of
the school grounds waste audit and
subsequent outcomes.
- Extensive evaluation conducted at every
stage of the project.
Project outcomes
- The project implemented green waste
reduction systems in all but one of the 42
institutions with varying degrees of
success. Case studies were compiled from
final evaluations provided by each
institution.
- Use of products from the green waste
reduction process resulted in compost and
vermicompost being returned to school
gardens and grounds.
- A Model Practices Guide and Video
(funded outside the Waste Reduction Grant)
has been completed
- As an indicator of the success of the
project, a participating Central Coast
primary school is now source separating and
composting 65kgs of green waste per week
representing around 40% of its original
waste stream. Coupled with their paper
recycling, this school has achieved waste
reduction of around 75% of it's total waste
stream. This school was a winner in the
local council awards scheme.
- Important links with other groups have
been forged. Several participants have been
involved with local Earth Works programs.
Two extra schools have been funded in the
Illawarra by Illawarra Waste Management and
the Western Sydney Waste Board has part
funded the abovementioned video.
Key factors contributing to project success
- The SCRAP team's planning and experience
in working with schools and related
organisations on waste minimisation and
environmental education projects over the
past eight years was extensive.
- The inservice program for teachers meant
that the process of planning and
implementation was staged and better
understood and the support network in the
participating institutions was built
gradually as each goal was reached
- Over 40 sites in differing states of
project development were coordinated and
managed, as were four Green Waste Team
members working with the institutions.
Information material developed
- A final report and supporting
documentation
- A Model Practices Guide was developed
after assessment of the pilot program. The
Guide comprises a composting and worm
farming manual and a series of case studies
detailing the outcomes at specific sites and
is complemented by a video. The package was
provided free to each participating
institution and a number of additional
copies provided to specific stakeholders.
Related projects
Contacts
Peter Carroll
Phone: (02) 9825 1062
Fax: (02) 9825 6972
eescrap@ozemail.com.au
Community Waste Reduction Grants Co-ordinator
Environment Protection Authority
Phone: (02) 9995 5639
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/waste/ |
