Council looking for next 'big idea' for reducing waste to landfill

Mayor Greg Christensen talking with Roadvale State School Early Years Teacher Kylie Peel about the school's waste reduction activities with PiPs representatives Fraser Hawkins and Jessica Laegel and their 'Bin Chicken'.

In the lead up to National Recycling Week (8-14 November) Council has launched its inaugural Reimagine Waste Poster Competition, as part of its Waste Education Program.

It's open to children of all ages from the Scenic Rim to share their out-of-the-box ideas for rescuing waste destined for landfill.

Mayor Greg Christensen said in the Scenic Rim roughly 20,000 tonnes of waste goes to landfill every year, so Council is looking for its youth to show the community different ways to reuse, recycle or repurpose that waste.

"This fun and educational initiative supports Council's Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy 2021-2026 and Queensland's vision to progress towards a zero-waste society where waste is avoided, reused and recycled to the greatest possible extent," Cr Christensen said.

"Our region's schools are leading the way in this space and we want to harness and celebrate the great initiatives already in place and fuel the students' imaginations to uncover the next 'big idea'.

"Roadvale State School students have found a solution for food waste with their special 'Bin Chicken'. Food waste currently makes up approximately 40 per cent of all waste from kerbside collection that ends up in landfill," he said.

Acting Principal Simon Bliss said reducing waste is part of Roadvale State School students' everyday routine with classroom recycling, containers for change, worm farms, vegetable gardens and a 'Bin Chicken'.

"Our Prep-Year 1 Class, affectionately known as the 'PiPs', introduced a special bin for food scraps called the 'Bin Chicken' and every day they save all food scraps from our fruit break and lunch for the Hawkins' family to take home for their chickens.

"Our school is committed to lowering its environmental footprint. We reduce our mains energy consumption by using a highly efficient heat-pump hot water system and solar power, in addition to rain water tanks and our brigalow tree revegetation project," Mr Bliss said.

Early Years Teacher Kylie Peel said the PiPs are happy to accept donations of recyclable items from our community to use in their learning activities.

"We recycle all of our cardboard and paper in the coloured bins provided and we are water wise as we need to save our tank water," she said.

"We are also planning a PiPs garden where we can plant and grow native plants and flowers to feed our birds, including our resident magpie 'Matilda' and native bees which are at home in our school's Native Bee Hotel, made from reclaimed materials," she said.

Roadvale State School is among the first of the Scenic Rim schools to get behind the Reimagine Waste Poster Competition.

Entries can be submitted as drawings, photos and designs. Videos can also be provided as supporting information so there is an opportunity for children of all ages and abilities to take part.

Prizes include vouchers to work towards zero waste goals and a winner's trophy made from reclaimed materials

Entries open 5 October and close 5 November 2021. Winners announced during National Recycling Week (8-14 November).

Further information and entry forms are available online at www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/waste-services