Developing a School Program

The SWSA schools waste management program known as ResouRce Rite is the 'Waste' component of the Tasmanian 'Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative' (AuSSI).

Information regarding AuSSI can be found by visiting the sustainability education section of the Australian Government website via the following link:

http://www.environment.gov.au/education/aussi/

ResouRce Rite encourages a whole-school approach to the sustainable management of resources. To support your school in its endeavour to manage waste more sustainably, ResouRce Rite can assist in the delivery of:

• Professional development workshops on waste management
• Educational and awareness raising resources
• Access to a network of schools implementing waste management initiatives
• An accreditation scheme that rewards your achievements

To find out more about ResouRce Rite or to register your interest for 2010 please contact the ResouRce Rite Coordinator at: shaun@southernwaste.com.au

We have also included the following useful information on this site, and links to other sites, which can be used by all schools to assist in the development of a waste management program specific to your school's needs.The process may also serve as a useful starting point to develop or review your program:

Investigations

Mapping out your existing waste management practices will serve as a useful tool for planning future programs. It will also enable you to assess your present system with regard to the number and location of rubbish bins within the school grounds, major areas where waste is generated in the school, and number, size and location of skip bins. Talk to your waste/ recycling contractor or local drop-off centre, to find out which materials can be taken, how they must be presented for efficient collection, and what costs are involved.

School Waste Audit

A waste audit is a way for you to look at the make-up of your waste and recycling streams. The audit requires you to separate and weigh the different materials in these streams. It will then help you to develop a more accurate waste management plan specific to your needs. It is important to carry out your audit as accurately as possible so that when buying equipment (i.e. recycling bins, etc), you don't under/over estimate your needs.

A waste audit will also help you to estimate the costs/ benefits that will result from your waste management plan. Check out How to conduct a school waste/recycling audit for more details.

Planning

Spend time researching possible solutions to your present and future waste needs by referring to existing models, websites, etc. If your school has a successful waste management program in place, make sure other schools can learn from your successes and failures by sending us the details to include on this website. Observe what is presently working for your school and other schools. Formalise your intentions either by adopting and modifying successful programs or by developing your own initiatives, but remember the KISS formula (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Set realistic goals by starting small. This will gain the support from parents, staff and students, and further ensure longevity of the program.

Don't include more detail than is necessary, when formalising your intentions. However, it is important to develop an action plan with future vision in mind (a three year plan, for example). A well thought out plan will have a greater chance of success than one with little or no substance.

Implementation - Making Changes

The success of any program will depend on the shared acquisition of knowledge. Ongoing training for parents, staff and students will be vital to ensure that present and future goals will be met. Therefore, suitable allowance for education and training must be included in your waste management plan.

The type of program that you develop is only limited by your imagination (and resources, of course). This website has some useful hints on setting up a range of programs, including:

• Office Waste
• Packaging Waste
• Food/ Kitchen Waste
• Beverage Waste
• Green Waste
• Composting
• Worm Composting

As your waste management program grows, the schools requirements will change. Therefore, it will be necessary to regularly update your waste audit information so that you can modify the program to cater for future goals. Subsequently, your waste management plan should be a working and ever-changing document - not one to be filed away and forgotten.