Parke State School students join waste reduction program

Last straw … Parke State School students display plastic straws from drink containers they have collected from the school grounds as part of their drive to cut the amount of rubbish they generate and increase recycling at the school.

Students at the Parke State School in Tinana are making sure their school is doing all it can to reduce waste and recycle.

Today the students, with the help of Wide Bay Water and Waste Services Education Officer Smriti Pandey and Qmulch Education Officer Rheanon Kerslake, audited their school to see how they were performing.

“The School Waste Management Program is a free program offered by Wide Bay Water and Waste Service and Qmulch to help businesses and schools understand waste management, improve overall recycling and reduce waste going to landfill,” Cr Anne Maddern said.

The education officers helped students undertake a litter audit of the school grounds and decide which area of the school is the most littered.

“They then discuss what was found around the school and what could have been recycled or composted,” Cr Maddern said.

“They then undertake a waste audit which entails emptying two full bins on to a tarp and sorting the material into recyclables, general rubbish compostable items. The whole process takes about three hours.”

A similar program has been successful in other areas and was featured in the War Against Waste which aired on ABC TV.

“The program gives a hands-on experience and a feeling of control over waste disposal,” Cr Maddern said.

“It also teaches valuable lessons on recycling and waste reduction that can also be used at home.”

In July the Fraser Coast Regional Council adopted a new waste strategy to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by recovering and recycling more.

“Our aim is that by 2050 at least 90% of waste generated across the Fraser Coast is diverted from landfill,” Cr Maddern said.

“In 2016-17 Council recovered 89,000 tonnes (or 60.3%) of the 147,538 tonnes of waste it handled through its 11 facilities.

“Education campaigns which help students learn about recycling and reducing waste will be an important component in our drive to achieve our goals."