A YEAR after becoming a Waste Wise school, Karrinyup Primary has made inroads towards encouraging a sustainable lifestyle among students.
The school was granted $8000 from the State Government last year as part of the Waste Wise School program to facilitate sustainability activities and a new garden.
Sustainability co-ordinator Kimberley Parkin said some students shared their knowledge on recycling and reducing waste with their families.
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“They are going to be responsible for the future and if we can teach them how to care for the environment and the community, they can create solutions to the problems we have in the environment.”
Ms Parkin said the new garden served as an “outdoor classroom” that engaged with the community.
She said each year group was designated with activities to achieve sustainability.
The activities included recycling mobile phones and coffee pods, reducing classroom electricity, managing the farm garden and holding a Waste-free Wednesday where kids have no waste in their lunch boxes.
Environment Minister Albert Jacob said waste reduction was a key part of the school’s culture.
“I’m very pleased to see students embracing these programs because they point to a future where sustainable living will be second nature,” he said.
“To meet the recycling targets set out in the State Government’s waste strategy, we need to change more attitudes about recycling.”
The next Waste Wise Schools grant round closes on February 24, 2017.