Tell your story and inspire others
This section provides information about what some school communities are doing in relation to waste
management, resource recovery and learning about waste. Information has been gathered from schools with a variety of waste initiatives. Stories from sites that have just begun waste reduction initiatives are just as valuable as stories from schools with long-running, successful initiatives / programs.

Remember: the 'what not to do' stories are as valuable as the success stories!
We understand that schools may not wish to publicize the difficulties and failures that can and do occur. However, this section is intended to provide hints on barriers you might expect to face, and experiences of downright disasters!

Schools can provide this information and remain anonymous.

We know there are many schools with waste reduction initiatives. Please send us your stories (from staff, students and parents) and pictures (jpg format 300 dpi) through the Case Study Proforma, for inclusion on the WOW website or in printed resources. We will seek your permission before including them and respect any requests for anonymity. 
​
We look forward to adding more stories so check this part of the website for updates. 

Follow the buttons below for examples of what sites have achieved.

Banksia Park Kindergarten has been working with KESAB environmental solutions and NRM Education on their Site Environmental Management Plan (SEMP). Their commitment to being sustainable is reflected in their vision statement -
“We want sustainability to be part of our daily practice, embedded in our curriculum. Sustainability is written in our philosophy which outlines our values and practices.”
The kindergarten’s enthusiasm for creating a sustainable environment has helped build a strong child, parent and staff community.
At Lady Gowrie Child Centre, ‘there is no excuse when it comes to the environment’ according to Administration Officer Allie Holmes who is passionate about sustainability.
Staff are working towards the goal of cutting their materials sent to landfill in half by the end of 2014;
  • nappies and face washers are reusable
  • paper and cardboard are recycled
  • food scraps are collected in the green organics bin
  • child-safe hand dryers in bathrooms and
  • plastic bags are not supplied; families bring their own reusable laundry bag for soiled clothes.
Highbury Primary School launched their ‘From Good to Great’ campaign in 2014 to improve on existing recycling programs and further reduce the amount of materials they were sending to landfill.
Their carefully implemented process resulted in an 80% reduction in the volume of landfill materials in a matter of weeks.
“THE most significant things for us has been having Robyn (Science Teacher) teach explicit lessons across the school, the environmental forum, and having a team approach including leadership, student, staff, cleaners, groundsman input and working closely with you (KESAB and Wipe Out Waste).” Dominica Thomson, Deputy Principal.
Golden Grove High School has active initiatives to divert material from landfill. The school has been working with several organisations and staff, particularly Business Manager Sue Ruciack and maintenance officer Paul Howieson to embed sustainable practices.
They include Wipe out Waste (WOW), Tea Tree Gully Council programs delivered by KESAB environmental solutions, Natural Resource Management (NRM) Education and Land Care. The Environmental Action Team (EAT) work to achieve the goals outlined in the Site Environmental Action Plan or SEMP.
"Our recycling table and shed have finally come together and it has been worth the wait. The new table that we designed to fit in with our new bin lifter purchased from our WOW grant. One of our maintenance staff built it from scratch. He had to make a few adjustments along the way to manage different bin sizes and solve the issue of “ juice run” but it is all working now.
It has a grid section to allow drainage and drop down sides for easy access.  We are lucky that we have people prepared to do these things for us. We also have a new team of Waste Busters (students) who help on a regular basis so we are back in action again." Margie Barnett and Mary Butler from Cornerstone College, 2013 
(Images of the recycling table can be seen here.)
Further links to case studies
Many sites also work with Natural Resource Management (NRM) Education, and more case studies involving WOW can be found at: www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/education/for-educators/waste