Waste Management at EBPS
We are improving our waste management procedures at EBPS by:
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Implementing bin system to encourage recycling and save waste going to landfill.
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Educating students and community to adopt waste free practices.
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Management of organic waste through composting.
Rubbish at EBPS
One 24 hour period of school waste was collected.
Rumbalara helped students sort rubbish into recyclable plastics, paper, soft plastics, organic waste, and landfill.
Especially the whole sandwiches, fruit, drinks and snacks thrown away untouched.
It was surprising how much organic waste was collected.
The Big Waste Audit!
This was all untouched and thrown away
Every class at EBPS came to have a look and share their ideas about how they feel about this rubbish.
We catergorised and weighed our results and now we have data to inform our choices moving forward.
We formed a Green Team of students, teachers and carers and we have begun our journey to a waste management system that helps EBPS become a more sustainable school.
We are already separating in classrooms and the playground!
Cancelled Redcycle went out of business
Landfill (potentially our tiniest bin)
Watch this space for the next way we will be separating our most important waste resource
We practise what we preach!
This is our Staff Room sorting station.
See what we do with Organic Waste at Empire Bay
There are 7 compost bins placed around the school grounds to collect food scraps. Less to the landfill and our own nutrient rich fertiliser.
We have a 3 bay compost system that rotates food scraps, grass clippings and dry leaves/shredded paper
The humble worm farm and compost bin will not only add soil to the garden but will:
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supply nutrients
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increase moisture retention
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add helpful bacteria
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improve soil structure allowing pathways for air and water.
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reduce erosion as the humus helps soil particles to hold tightly together
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suppress soil borne diseases by microorganisms commonly associated with compost
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not generate excess methane gas (a green house gas) as nature based systems are oxygenated
Class Pet?
There are 5 worm farms. One in each area so that each class will have the opportunity to care for the worms and collect Worm Wee!
We got our worm farms from the council a few years ago when we hosted a few composting work shops at EBps
Setting up a worm farm is VERY easy!
You can buy a farm and the worms at your local hardware store. Or you can recycle old rubbish bins, bathtubs, containers... have a look around at what you've got!
1 tier, 2 tier or 3 tier - They all do the job. Make a palace for your worms or keep it simple. It's up to you!
You can buy worms or 'borrow' some from a friend (Us! We have thousands!!)
We have 11 chickens enrolled at Empire Bay
Chickens are a great example of a sustainable system
We feed them our scraps and they enable cycling of nutrients through feed, manure, and soil and help to increase biodiversity. And they are cuddly
Students visit the chickens and learn about:
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Life cycles
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What living things need.
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Where food comes.
Year 5 students are responsible for feeding,
watering, collecting eggs and cuddling chickens.
Clean Up Australia Day at Empire Bay
This initiative began 30 years ago as the inspiration of one man, Ian Kiernan. An avid sailor, Ian was shocked and disgusted by the pollution and rubbish that he continually encountered in the oceans of the world. Taking matters into his own hands, Ian organised a community event with the support of a committee of friends, including co-founder Kim McKay AO. Now Clean Up Australia events happen all over the country!
Today our focus is as much on preventing rubbish entering our environment as it is removing what has already accumulated.
