Greening our schools

In a bid to help the environment, non-profit company SCRAP — School Communities Recycling All Paper LTD — is teaching Australia’s youth the benefits of sustainability.

Almost 20 years ago, three teachers, having decided they had seen enough paper thrown out with the garbage to last a lifetime, instigated a proper system for paper recycling in schools.

Starting with just eight schools in 1991, SCRAP grew quickly, reaching 100 schools within 18 months of starting. Not limited to paper recycling alone, SCRAP also helps schools understand more about helping the environment. Some of their other programs include green waste reduction, recycled product purchasing, and water tank and solar panel installations.

SCRAP Company Secretary Peter Carroll believes current environmental challenges are great — perhaps too great for our older generations to solve. “By reaching out to the younger generation we may be able to engender a new vision of sustainability which they can use to build a better, greener future,” he says.

“It is free for schools to join and our members decide which programs and activities to be part of,” says Peter. “Whether it is a full-scale EcoSnapshot Day (five audits conducted by professionals with around 120 staff and students and a full-scale report-back process for change) or simply purchasing green products from our website, there are many options for members to consider.”

The amount of effort involved depends on the level of commitment a school is able to provide. “If a school wishes to recycle through SCRAP the commitment is no more than obtaining some advice from us on how to get the system up and running,” says Peter. “They may wish to purchase floor boxes, bins or similar items from us, depending on local services, and we may be able to help them assess the services available when they come to choose which are best.

“Or the school may want to engage with the Towards Zero Waste program, auditing their waste, assessing the audit outcomes and planning for zero waste with reduce — reuse — recycle activities such as composting and worm farming food and garden waste, paper and commingled recycling, nude food, etc.”

Between 1991 and 2003, SCRAP successfully initiated paper recycling programs in half the schools in NSW and the ACT; most of these programs continue today. SCRAP’s other activities have helped some schools achieve almost zero waste through worm farming and composting. SCRAP has also worked with various industry professionals and tradespeople to achieve more than 50 per cent reduction in water use in schools; drought-proofing and restoring school fields using tank supplies and subsurface irrigation systems; and recently assisting schools to achieve energy savings with the National Solar Schools Program by installing solar panels and other energy-saving technologies. SCRAP always backs up the installations with cutting-edge educational programs to support the learning of staff and students.

Contact SCRAP by phone 02 9825 1062 or email support@scrapltd.com.au for a Membership Application form. Check out their website www.scrapltd.com.au.