Dominic College - Secondary Campus

Dominic College Secondary is situated on Tolosa Street in Glenorchy, Tasmania amidst a beautiful bush land setting. It caters to 380 students and is extremely fortunate in that it is able to offer a wide range of elective subjects. However, recycling was an embarrassing topic - none had taken place since vandals ignited the recycling paper many years ago. The 10A Science Class of 2002 decided it was time for a change and entered the Southern Waste Strategy Authority (SWSA) competition sponsored by Visy Recycling.

Waste Reduction Objectives

• To monitor and improve the current Waste Management Program in the Secondary Campus which was set up due to participation in the SWSA Competition in 2002.
• To involve the Primary Campus so that when the new Primary Campus is built on the Secondary grounds a whole school approach can be developed.
• To make the program easier to run.
• To further reduce the costs for waste management.
• To educate and involve the College Community in Waste Management Awareness.
• To help improve the overall cleanliness of the College grounds.

Actions

• Involve a Year 9 Science Class in the challenge in order to stimulate interest and to generate and implement new ideas.
• Help and encourage the students to put those ideas into action.
• Continually evaluate and improve on the ideas.
• Use positive reinforcement, advertising and education as methods of delivery.

Outcomes

• Improved and increased collection of paper.
• Introduction and improvement in the collection of plastic bottles.
• Recycling of newspaper not reused in Art and Science.
• Improved maintenance of cardboard recycling.
• Formation of a 17 member Student Recycling Team.
• Establishment of a Recycling Depot in an old store room.
• Construction of a Bath Tub Worm Farm.
• Better collection of worm wee from five worm farms. This is to be sold at College Fair.
• The inclusion of a 25 hour Environmental Science Course in the Year 10 Science Extended Subject for 2003.
• Development and proposal of a 100 hour Environmental Science Course as an Enterprise Project for 2004 presented to the Principal.
• Continued education of school community through assemblies, Pastoral Periods, student newsletters and parent newsletters.
• Prizes and awards for classes in recognition for their support of the waste management in the College.
• Establishment of a good note system for individual students who demonstrate support of waste management. This helps improve their weekly diary marks.
• Excursions planned for students that will enhance awareness of environmental issues and success eg. Australian Laser Charge, Collex Recycling Depot, Council Recycling Centres.
• The establishment of a new annual student award for contribution to the environment.
• A proposed waste management plan for the Primary School to enhance the existing one.
• Greater student involvement in the College Landcare Group activities that take place on Fridays at lunchtime.
• An estimated further reduction in waste removal costs of $1,600 p.a. which amounts to $3,200 since 2002.
• The planning and acceptance of the construction- by Maintenance Staff and students- of a greenhouse on College grounds in October- to be used by students.