Dean of Identity | Mr Charles Brauer

Trash Mob

Lunchtime today saw a ‘mob’ of our Years 9 and 11 students keenly sorting through three days’ worth of schoolyard rubbish to kick off our recycling program, a key feature of our Sustainability at Terrace strategy. Hundreds gathered to observe the Trash Mob whose task was to make clear to our community the patterns of waste that have been established over time. More importantly, hundreds gathered to see how easily we can prevent large volumes of waste going to landfill if we commit to shifting our behaviour in the right direction. 

Beyond today, our grounds will have recycling bins into which students, staff and visitors can place recyclable waste. These bins have the same restrictions as the recycling bins of our households. Recycling is not a foreign concept to our students and families. Rather, we may be perplexed by the fact that we have yet to fully embrace the possibilities of recycling at the College. The willingness of students to lead our recycling program reaffirms the high degree of optimism that exists regarding the success of the new recycling bins. 

The frequently asked questions below provide an overview of how you can play your part in supporting recycling at the College. 

What can go in the yellow-lidded bins?

Essentially whatever you can put into your yellow-lidded bins at home:
• empty bottles and cans, hard plastics (e.g. milk bottles)
• Paper and cardboard free of food scraps attached (e.g. Melted cheese, sauce, pizza scraps).

What CAN’T go in the yellow-lidded bins?

• Wax coated cardboard and paper
• pizza boxes, disposable coffee cups
• soft plastic wrappings (chip packets, glad wrap)
• food scraps, garden waste, mixed material items.

What can go in the blue-lidded bins?

• Paper and cardboard

How can I help?

• Talk to your son at home. Continue the growing conversation around waste. 
• Have your son take the bins out at home.
• Try nude foods to embrace a waste-free lunch.

Next week, our Years 5, 6 and 7 students are invited to participate in the Wrap Free Lunch initiative to further a commitment to sustainable practices. A prize draw will be available to students who present their lunchboxes free of plastic wrapping or packaging to staff at morning tea from Monday to Friday.

I look forward to working with our community with enabling simple, practical and effect practices that affirm our Sustainability at Terrace strategy.