Lochiel School
Lochiel School saved $750 in 2006 by recycling waste that used to go in the skip.
A few years ago, Lochiel School identified waste as a major issue. With the help of the local council, they began to look at the sort of rubbish the school was generating and ways they could reduce it. They also found out that reducing waste could save money as well as benefiting the environment.
Through their investigations, the children discovered a great deal about their school’s waste. For instance, there were a lot more rubbish bins than they actually needed, and there was no convenient way to recycle things like paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and food scraps. So, the children and staff took action!
To reduce the waste they generate, Lochiel School have:
- Set up a worm farm to recycle food scraps
- Built a compost bin to recycle garden waste
- Established a GOOS (Good On One Side) box in every class to collect paper that can be reused on the back
- Encouraged children and parents to use re-sealable bags or containers instead of plastic wrap for school lunches
- Started collecting recyclables such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and aluminium cans. These materials are kept separate by each class, then they are taken to the central ‘Recycling Centre’ that’s been set up at the school. A staff member then collects the recycling and takes it to Invercargill (191 Bond St) for recycling.
Source: Southland Community Wastebusters Trust, Busting Waste Column
Duty students empting the full classroom recycle bin into the Schools
central Recycling Centre
