Case Study - Mascot Primary School

Mascot Primary School in Sydney, with the assistance of City Return and Earn, implemented an educational recycling program. This initiative provided recycling bins and regular collection services, educating pupils about the importance of recycling and environmental conservation. The program has increased awareness, reduced landfill waste, and generated refunds that support school activities, setting a positive example for sustainability in education.

Background

Mascot Primary School, located in Sydney, is dedicated to fostering a culture of sustainability among its pupils and staff. Recognising the importance of recycling in environmental conservation, the school partnered with City Return and Earn to implement an educational recycling program. This initiative aims to manage waste effectively within the school premises while educating young pupils about the benefits of recycling.

Challenge

In an area where climate change and environmental conservation are pressing concerns, it is crucial to raise awareness and educate pupils about the importance of recycling. The school aimed to integrate recycling practices into their curriculum and daily routines, promoting sustainable habits among the young generation.

Solution

City Return and Earn proposed a comprehensive recycling program for Mascot Primary School. This included providing recycling bins to the schools and regular collection services. Additionally, pupils are encouraged to visit the Mascot depot to deliver recyclable containers, earning 10 cents per item, and learning firsthand how recycling processes work. This hands-on approach aims to educate them on contributing to environmental sustainability while earning rewards.

Implementation:

The implementation of the City Return and Earn program at Mascot Primary School involved several key steps:

1. Collaborative Planning: City Return and Earn worked with Mascot Primary School to provide recycling bins and develop a tailored recycling strategy.
2. Infrastructure Setup: Two recycling bins were delivered and to the school to collect plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminium cans, and cardboard bottles.
3. Education and Engagement: City Return and Earn allows pupils to visit the depot and see how cans, bottles, juice boxes, and all eligible containers are recycled by the machine, and meet with the staff. This educates pupils about the importance of recycling and how they can contribute to environmental conservation.
4. Logistics and Collection: A regular collection schedule was established to ensure that the school's recyclable containers are picked up and brought directly to the Mascot City Return and Earn Depot. The bins are collected once a week or once a fortnight, depending on when they are full and need to be replaced by new, empty ones.
5. Account Setup and Refund: City Return and Earn helped the school create an account to provide a monthly refund based on 10 cents per eligible container processed at the depot in Mascot. The money refunded to the school is used towards activities for the pupils.

Results

1. Educational Impact: Pupils have shown increased awareness and enthusiasm for recycling, incorporating sustainable practices into their daily routines.
2. Waste Diversion: The recycling program has facilitated the diversion of waste from landfills, contributing to resource conservation and environmental protection.
3. Community Engagement: The school's participation in the recycling program has created a sense of community and shared responsibility among pupils, staff, and parents.
4. Earning: After the bins are collected and containers recycled, Mascot Primary School receives a refund at the end of the month, allowing the school to organise activities for the pupils.