Pollution Control
Sustainability Strategy: Creating a Dedicated Recycling Zone
OVERVIEW
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that damages and destabilises the ecosystems that results from either chemical substances such as gases and poisons or energy which includes heat, light and noise.
“Pollution prevention technologies offer more than just a way to comply with regulations, or even to “do the right thing.” It also makes smart business sense.” (Mulholland & Dyer, 2010, p.238)
As illustrated, the control of pollution is very important to ensure that the effects it has on the environment are minimal.
One way to minimise the effects of pollution on the environment, which Orion Primary is implementing, is through the creation of a recycling zone. This strategy involves creating a storage area for the separation and collection of recyclable waste. The area will be located on site and will encourage the involvement of the students and it could be a basis for an in class project for students in
year 6 and 7.
PURPOSE– Benefits of creating the Recycling Zone
School's Benefit
· Decrease in costs (Paper reuse, minimise wastage)
· Portrays positive image to students, staff, parents and community, demonstrating Corporate Social Responsibility
· Likely to gain more public support (increase student numbers)
· Decrease in Government regulation as the school is taking action to minimise pollution and wastage
· Great way to get the students involved in a fun, hands on project whilst still learning ways in which they can decrease waste and pollution
· Educational tool on management, environmental awareness, teamwork and waste disposal
· Can use it to raise funds – Some recyclers pay for plastics, aluminium and paper – Can be used as a supplementary income to help
pay for ongoing costs of the project and with time and perseverance, it may become a self-funded project
· Food scraps and waste can be used on Community Garden (Sustainability Strategy 3) as a natural fertiliser
Environmental Benefit
· Minimise the schools contribution to landfill whilst decreasing waste levels
· It takes 17 trees to make one tonne of paper, therefore; the recycling of paper will result in less paper wastage and less trees will be cut down so air pollution levels will decrease
· Paper can be shredded and used on the Community Garden (Sustainability Strategy 3)
Staff Benefit
· Working for a School that is concerned for the future - good to be involved
· School is seen in a positive light - it is rewarding to work for Orion Primary
· Will become a larger school through increased public support
COSTS
Set up costs
· The purchase / hire of recycling bins; (however some bins would be cost neutral), such as; paper/cardboard, cans/aluminium, bottles/glass and plastics
· The fencing to enclose the compound
· Shelter to the area – proposed to be built from recycled building materials obtained when changing the school building structures (Sustainability Strategy 2)
Ongoing Costs
· Cost of getting recyclable materials removed
· General maintenance and up keeping
FUNDING
· The Keep Australia Beautiful Beverage Container Recycling Community Grants
These grants are funded by the Coca-Cola foundation and they provide funds for recycling projects across Australia. The organisation can also provide education on correct disposal of waste and cause and effects of pollution whilst also assisting with the construction or infrastructure or transport or processing costs. These grants are open to community groups (inclusive of schools) and are for $3,000 -
$10,000
· Grants from local businesses e.g., Bendigo Bank will show a high level of support for a community benefiting project
· Government Grants – Education Department funding
· Local Shire funding
· Donations and fundraising
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATGEY
The implementation of the strategy will be run by the Innovation Committee who will initially drive the project before passing some of the responsibilities onto the students. Firstly, the committee will test the levels of support within the community and if found to be positive, important factors such as location, number and size of bins required, costs and Government Regulations will be assessed. A budget will then be created for set up and ongoing costs.
The eco-committee will organise the purchase and delivery of addition materials required with a busy bee being organised to reach out to the community for support with the construction of the compound
The students will then have significant involvement with the project by creating rosters for managing recycling and the collection of materials.
The total project is expected to be completed within four months with the first three months spent on planning and obtaining Government / Shire approvals with the last month being dedicated to the construction. The project is expected to be started at the
tail end of the sustainability strategy two; building design, as it will allow for the reuse of building materials for the compound.
EVALUATION
To ensure that the strategy proves to be efficient, a number of methods will be used to evaluate it, including;
· Keeping records of how much is recycled instead of wasted and how much the school is saving / earning from recycling materials
· See if paper usage / purchase levels have decreased
· Encourage students to share recycling information with parents to widen message and have a large community effect
RESOURCES
Gadotti, M. (2010). Reorienting Education Practices towards Sustainability. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development.
Retrieved from: http://jsd.sagepub.com.ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/content/4/2/203.full.pdf+html
Mulholland, K., & Dyer, J. (2010). Pollution Prevention : Methodologies, Technologies and Practices [Ebook library version]. Retrieved from: http://www.ecu.eblib.com.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=588848
Recycling. [2012]. Retrieved from the Green Building Council of Australia website:
http://www.gbca.org.au/resources/greening-your-school/how-do-we-green-our-school/recycling/2164.htm
Recycling Grants. [n.d.].Retrieved from the Keep Australia Beautiful website: http://www.kabq.org.au/programs/recycling_grants/info
Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools (Appendix F: Waste Reduction Ideas and Goals). [2012]. Retrieved from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency website: http://www.epa.gov/waste/education/pdfs/toolkit/tools-f.pdf
Images Retrieved from:
Top image: litchfield.nt.gov.au
Bottom Image: 1800recycling.com
OVERVIEW
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that damages and destabilises the ecosystems that results from either chemical substances such as gases and poisons or energy which includes heat, light and noise.
“Pollution prevention technologies offer more than just a way to comply with regulations, or even to “do the right thing.” It also makes smart business sense.” (Mulholland & Dyer, 2010, p.238)
As illustrated, the control of pollution is very important to ensure that the effects it has on the environment are minimal.
One way to minimise the effects of pollution on the environment, which Orion Primary is implementing, is through the creation of a recycling zone. This strategy involves creating a storage area for the separation and collection of recyclable waste. The area will be located on site and will encourage the involvement of the students and it could be a basis for an in class project for students in
year 6 and 7.
PURPOSE– Benefits of creating the Recycling Zone
School's Benefit
· Decrease in costs (Paper reuse, minimise wastage)
· Portrays positive image to students, staff, parents and community, demonstrating Corporate Social Responsibility
· Likely to gain more public support (increase student numbers)
· Decrease in Government regulation as the school is taking action to minimise pollution and wastage
· Great way to get the students involved in a fun, hands on project whilst still learning ways in which they can decrease waste and pollution
· Educational tool on management, environmental awareness, teamwork and waste disposal
· Can use it to raise funds – Some recyclers pay for plastics, aluminium and paper – Can be used as a supplementary income to help
pay for ongoing costs of the project and with time and perseverance, it may become a self-funded project
· Food scraps and waste can be used on Community Garden (Sustainability Strategy 3) as a natural fertiliser
Environmental Benefit
· Minimise the schools contribution to landfill whilst decreasing waste levels
· It takes 17 trees to make one tonne of paper, therefore; the recycling of paper will result in less paper wastage and less trees will be cut down so air pollution levels will decrease
· Paper can be shredded and used on the Community Garden (Sustainability Strategy 3)
Staff Benefit
· Working for a School that is concerned for the future - good to be involved
· School is seen in a positive light - it is rewarding to work for Orion Primary
· Will become a larger school through increased public support
COSTS
Set up costs
· The purchase / hire of recycling bins; (however some bins would be cost neutral), such as; paper/cardboard, cans/aluminium, bottles/glass and plastics
· The fencing to enclose the compound
· Shelter to the area – proposed to be built from recycled building materials obtained when changing the school building structures (Sustainability Strategy 2)
Ongoing Costs
· Cost of getting recyclable materials removed
· General maintenance and up keeping
FUNDING
· The Keep Australia Beautiful Beverage Container Recycling Community Grants
These grants are funded by the Coca-Cola foundation and they provide funds for recycling projects across Australia. The organisation can also provide education on correct disposal of waste and cause and effects of pollution whilst also assisting with the construction or infrastructure or transport or processing costs. These grants are open to community groups (inclusive of schools) and are for $3,000 -
$10,000
· Grants from local businesses e.g., Bendigo Bank will show a high level of support for a community benefiting project
· Government Grants – Education Department funding
· Local Shire funding
· Donations and fundraising
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATGEY
The implementation of the strategy will be run by the Innovation Committee who will initially drive the project before passing some of the responsibilities onto the students. Firstly, the committee will test the levels of support within the community and if found to be positive, important factors such as location, number and size of bins required, costs and Government Regulations will be assessed. A budget will then be created for set up and ongoing costs.
The eco-committee will organise the purchase and delivery of addition materials required with a busy bee being organised to reach out to the community for support with the construction of the compound
The students will then have significant involvement with the project by creating rosters for managing recycling and the collection of materials.
The total project is expected to be completed within four months with the first three months spent on planning and obtaining Government / Shire approvals with the last month being dedicated to the construction. The project is expected to be started at the
tail end of the sustainability strategy two; building design, as it will allow for the reuse of building materials for the compound.
EVALUATION
To ensure that the strategy proves to be efficient, a number of methods will be used to evaluate it, including;
· Keeping records of how much is recycled instead of wasted and how much the school is saving / earning from recycling materials
· See if paper usage / purchase levels have decreased
· Encourage students to share recycling information with parents to widen message and have a large community effect
RESOURCES
Gadotti, M. (2010). Reorienting Education Practices towards Sustainability. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development.
Retrieved from: http://jsd.sagepub.com.ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/content/4/2/203.full.pdf+html
Mulholland, K., & Dyer, J. (2010). Pollution Prevention : Methodologies, Technologies and Practices [Ebook library version]. Retrieved from: http://www.ecu.eblib.com.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=588848
Recycling. [2012]. Retrieved from the Green Building Council of Australia website:
http://www.gbca.org.au/resources/greening-your-school/how-do-we-green-our-school/recycling/2164.htm
Recycling Grants. [n.d.].Retrieved from the Keep Australia Beautiful website: http://www.kabq.org.au/programs/recycling_grants/info
Tools to Reduce Waste in Schools (Appendix F: Waste Reduction Ideas and Goals). [2012]. Retrieved from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency website: http://www.epa.gov/waste/education/pdfs/toolkit/tools-f.pdf
Images Retrieved from:
Top image: litchfield.nt.gov.au
Bottom Image: 1800recycling.com