School Waste Minimisation in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Region

Climate change is the biggest threat facing the Great Barrier Reef and one of the biggest contributors towards climate change is food waste. Food waste produces methane gas as it decomposes in landfill without access to oxygen. Methane is 28x more potent than CO2 hence why food waste emissions create 10% of all global greenhouse gas. Therefore, one of the simplest ways to tackle climate change is to reduce food waste, by buying only what you need and using up leftovers.

The school waste minimisation project works with schools in the Mackay and Whitsunday region to improve alternative waste management practices by providing funding and resources to enhance waste management equipment and encourage positive waste management behaviours. The two-year project involves Reef Catchments conducting a school waste audit to identify areas of waste management that could be improved, followed by regular check-ins with the school to discuss options and ideas that are suitable and practical in the school setting. Following these actions, a second follow-up audit is completed to determine how successful the actions implemented were at diverting waste to landfill.

Pictured: Waste Audits being conducted at several local schools.

Resources

Below are a range of resources relating to reducing food waste and diverting waste from landfill using alternative waste management services correctly such as; recycling, composting and containers for change, that are available to download for use in your school or home.

• Are you smarter than a bin chicken? quiz
• Reduce food waste poster
• Thanks for not littering signs
• Food waste quiz

If you would like to know more or wish to get involved in the school waste minimisation project please feel free to get in touch.

The MWI School Waste Minimisation project is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.