The region’s youngest residents are leading the way when it comes to recycling at the recent annual Early Learning Centre Recycling Awards.
Six Early Learning Centres (ELCs) from across the region were recognised for their stand-out efforts, which helped prevent almost 220 tonnes of general waste from reaching the region’s landfill, since joining council’s Waste Minimisation Program through initiatives such as recycling, re-using items for arts and crafts, and processing organic waste on site with composting or worm farms.
Council’s Waste Spokesperson and Councillor for Division 3 Adam Hain said it was inspiring to see children as young as three and four-years-old take to recycling and doing their bit to help preserve the wonderful environment of Moreton Bay.
“I would like to congratulate Caboolture Christian Child Care Centre and Goodstart ELC for collectively reducing their general waste to landfill by 57per cent and I would also like to commend Goodstart ELC in Woodford doing its bit to help the environment. Nearly 20 per cent of their onsite waste is now recycled, and 8 per cent is composted ,” he said.
“Across the region, 38 ELCs have been awarded with 51 Centres actively engaged in Council’s Waste Minimisation Program. Council is in contact with 150 Centres to offer the free waste education program. Since the 38 awarded ELCs have entered the program we’ve seen a collective decrease of 2,405 tonnes of their waste ending up in landfill - with an increase of 1,895 tonnes being recycled and 304 tonnes of the centre’s food and garden organic waste being composted onsite.
Division 4 Councillor Julie Greer said the six ELCs recognised at council’s annual ELC Recycling Awards had been particularly impressive in the past year, with the majority reporting a huge reduction in the amount of general waste being sent to landfill.
“North Lakes Play and Learn did a terrific job by diverting 18 per cent of their waste to be recycled,” she said.
“Council’s Waste Minimisation Program also assisted the centre by donating yellow recycling collection crates and organics collection bins, a compost bin, worm farm and Early Years Learning kit.
Councillor for Division 11 Darren Grimwade congratulated Samford Pines Child Care and Sesame Lane ELC Narangba Centre 1 for collectively reducing general waste to landfill by more than 110 per cent and over 142 tonnes per year.
“These children are our future and it’s terrific to see they are making an early start. Every small part they are doing now is going to make a big difference in the future,” he said.
“Council works closely with ELCs through free workshops and in-class presentations to help educate our local kids about the environment and simple ways to recycle, re-use and reduce their waste, such as composting and worm farming.
“The program provides our littlest residents with a hands-on experience to prepare for school recycling, and an opportunity to learn about the importance of waste reduction and recycling in a fun and interactive way.”
