Perth schools celebrate a decade of being wise with waste

Coolbinia Primary School is one of 18 schools being recognised this week for achieving 10 years as one of Western Australia's official Waste Wise Schools.

Administered by the Waste Authority of Western Australia, the Waste Wise School's (WWS) accreditation program started in 2010 with the aim of recognising and celebrating the waste reduction and recovery efforts being undertaken in schools.

Since the program's inception, a total of 491 WA schools have achieved accreditation, with 18 of those schools proving their dedication to the cause by renewing their accreditation every year.

Coolbinia Primary School's Principal Paul Westcott and Waste Wise coordinator Rebekah Melville were presented with a commemorative sign and certificate today to mark the achievement by East Metropolitan MLC Alanna Clohesy.

The school has received three Waste Wise grants from the Waste Authority WA, which has enabled it to set up organics recycling (worms, compost and chickens), paper recycling as well as educational signage, and projects that teach students to repair old bikes and re-use old wheelbarrows for garden beds.

Schools must complete a number of steps to become accredited, including:

• run a waste audit to collect data on the waste produced at school;
• form a Waste Wise committee to plan, implement and evaluate Waste Wise projects;
• write a whole-of-school waste policy so the wider school community is aware of the school's waste avoidance and recovery commitment; and
• formulate a waste avoidance and recovery plan.

Once accredited, schools can re-apply for annual accreditation. For more information about the Waste Wise School program, visit http://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/programs

Coolbinia Primary School runs a range of Waste Wise School projects such as the 200-tonne carbon reduction plan, which encourages the school community to recycle, and acts to enhance biodiversity as well as save water and energy.

As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:

"The Waste Wise Schools program encourages schools to set up waste avoidance programs and projects, and rewards these important efforts.

"Coolbinia Primary School is a fantastic Waste Wise School that embeds sustainability throughout their school culture and programs.

"I would like to commend Coolbinia Primary School and each of the other 17 schools that have reached 10-year accreditation this year, as well as the 491 schools that have chosen to

participate in this important program.

"The values we teach our children are the ones that community will have in the future so I encourage all WA Schools to get involved."

List of schools that have achieved 10-year Waste Wise Accreditation.