Tips for improving sustainability in your school community

by Zoe Mailer

1.      Form a Sustainability Committee

Form a committee made up of staff, students and parents who are invested in improving your school’s sustainability practices. Set a meeting and identify your goals. Consider: what are your school’s problem areas? What are you doing well? What specific areas do you need to improve on?

The committee should meet regularly – twice per school term is a good goal – and track progress. Key sustainability goals, actions and eventual outcomes should be reported back to the wider school community to collectively reflect on the progress being made.

2.      Promote zero-waste as much as possible

Zero-waste should always be the end goal. However, when it isn’t possible, as close to zero-waste as you can get still makes a huge difference.

A first step could be to speak to the school’s Property Manager or maintenance team about introducing colour coded bins for general waste, recycling and food scraps.

At school events, promote zero-waste as much as possible. Prior to large gatherings, consider how waste output can be minimised. Introduce initiatives such as Waste-free Wednesday, or select another day of the week in which the goal for students and staff is no waste.

Ensure all staff rooms and kitchenettes have adequate glassware and cutlery and eliminate disposable cups and plastic cutlery. Most Australian states and territories have imposed a ban on plastic straws, but ensure none are being used in the canteen, at school discos or events. Introduce keep-cups adorned with your school logo for staff members and parents and have them available to purchase at the uniform shop.

3.      Teach recycling and environmental learning at every opportunity

While Australian schools do teach about the environment and recycling, there are many little teachable moments throughout the day that fall outside of the curriculum.  Emphasise the three Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle as much as possible.

Ideas for Reducing

·        Actively try to minimise quantities of materials you are using. Think about print quantities and ensure you print double-sided where possible. Consider if the lesson can be taught another way – could your classroom even go paperless?

·        Teach about and encourage low-waste school lunches 

·        Speak to the canteen staff about their current practices (including packaging used) and consider areas for waste reduction

Ideas for Reusing

·        Build a street library! Have a toy or book donation drive, in which students bring in their old toys or books for donation to younger students or less fortunate children. This isn’t limited to only toys and books – you can swap and donate just about anything, from clothes to second-hand household items.

·        Reuse paper wherever possible. Have a designated drawer for scrap or drawing paper that the children can help themselves to when its time to get crafty or do a quick group brainstorming session

·        Consider what disposable materials can be used for art and craft projects – it can be just about anything. Children can get creative with everything from bottle caps to toilet rolls! 

Ideas for Recycling

·        Designated bins on campus for disposing of coffee pods, take-away coffee cups and batteries

·        Collect cans and bottles to be used as part of the 10c Container Deposit System. Money raised can be put toward school fundraising or P&F initiatives.

Modelling positive behaviours consistently can help children to understand the day-to-day impact that we all have on the environment, and how a lot of little everyday and informed choices make a big difference.

4.      Start a sustainability garden  

Many Australian schools are now introducing sustainability gardens, which is not only educational but something that quickly becomes a favourite lesson for many children. After all, what child doesn’t love time in the outdoors and freedom to explore and get muddy?

Sustainability gardens have been found to have a multitude of learning benefits and provide endless opportunities for children to connect with their surroundings, learn how to be self-sufficient and reduce their carbon footprint. Why not go all in and introduce a weekly Gardening Club outside of school hours? Start a worm farm, teach about composting. Grow your own produce on school grounds and hold a School Market Day for the children to proudly show off the spoils of their gardening endeavours and sell their fruits, vegetables and herbs to members of the school community. The money raised can be put back into maintaining the garden. 

5.      Introduce outside programs into your school environment to help you reach your goals

There are so many external organisations that can assist you in reaching your sustainability goals at your school. Check out the following resources for programs that can help your school’s problem areas:

·        Getting Started with Sustainability in Schools is a wonderful starting point to use when you are setting your initial goals

·        Australian Education for Sustainability Alliance is comprised of organisations across sectors that offer a myriad of resources and run a variety of programs on a by state level, including the Waste Wise program being run in Western Australia which has provided funding to support schools in reducing, reusing and recycling

·        The Big Battery Rescue

·        Eco Schools Australia

Be sure to check your relevant state or territory’s Department of Education website for state specific initiatives in your area. There are sustainability programs for everything from managing waste to being water wise. 

6.      Register a Schools Clean Up activity

A School Clean Up is a great way to inspire students to learn about the impact of rubbish on their local environment while playing an active role in their community. Students and teachers work together to clean up an area - that can be a playground, a local park or bushland near your school - it's up to you. Registrations is free and you'll be sent a free Schools Clean Up kit.

7.      Check out Clean Up Australia's curriculum-linked lesson plans

To complement your School Clean Up, take advantage of free resources and curriculum-linked lesson plans. These materials help focus students' attention on waste and sustainability topics by giving them practical things to do as they learn.

These areas are just the beginning. There are many, many ways you can improve your school’s environmental footprint. The most important thing is getting started, working together as a community, and having fun! 



Zoe Mailer is a freelance writer residing in Western Australia.