The program commences with a waste assessment at your school to determine what percentage of recyclable and/or compostable materials could be diverted from the waste stream. As a result of this assessment, a detailed report is sent to your school, complete with recommendations on how to best reduce your waste output. Waste assessments will then occur annually to monitor your results.

Once the waste assessment has been conducted and the report returned, our ‘Recycling Heroes’ will visit your school to educate students about various waste-reduction topics and how they can take up the mission of becoming a Recycling Hero. The program is divided into three separate topics:

• 1st year of program:        Recycling with yellow-lid bins – at school & at home
• 2nd year of program:      Composting & worm farming
• 3rd year of program:       Everyday waste avoidance, including ‘Nude Food’ (waste-free) school lunches

Through the EarthSmart Schools program, CQLGA will help teachers & administrators develop and implement supporting policies within their schools. Teachers and administrators will receive this support through an increasing website information centre, staff education sessions and direct contact if required. Some of the areas of support include:

• Waste reduction at the school tuckshop
• Nude Food lunches for students
• Public Place Recycling- where to put recycling and waste bins for the best results

We also encourage students to engage with the program using their creative & artistic skills:

• Calendar Competition – Commencing in Term 2, Year 3-7 students will be invited to create posters on an environmental theme. The winning entries are published in the CQ Community Calendar and distributed across Central Queensland during National Recycling Week in November.
• Castaway Art Competition – Available in primary, secondary and open divisions, the Castaway Art competition is held at events across the CQ region and encourages entrants to create artworks from items destined for disposal.  Great prizes on offer!