Program Overview

CQLGA, with the support of BMA, is working with primary schools throughout CQ, helping to educate students and staff about recycling and reducing waste with the EarthSmart Schools program.

CQLGA, is working with primary schools throughout CQ, helping to educate students and staff about recycling and reducing waste with the EarthSmart Schools program.

The program, supported by BMA, encourages schools to actively participate with CQLGA in reaching a reduction of 50% waste to landfill over a time frame of three years.

By registering for the EarthSmart Schools program, schools will receive a number of valuable benefits, including:

Waste Assessments

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.

Recycling Heroes

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

Support

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:

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

Creative Outlets

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

• Calendar Competition – Commencing in Term 3, 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 – Open to primary school and high school students, at events across the region, students can participate by creating artworks from items destined for disposal.  Great prizes on offer!