Western Australian schools have shared more than $35,000 for projects that reduce the amount of waste disposed into landfill.
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson today announced funding for 15 Western Australian schools accredited under the Waste Wise Schools program.
The money will be spent on a range of sustainable waste projects at schools – from kitchen gardens, worm farms, recycling bins and composters to garden tools and chickens.
St Patrick’s Primary School in Fremantle will spend the $2,200 grant to set up a composting system and encourage waste free lunches.
St Joseph’s School in Moora will spend its $1,763.94 grant to set up compost bins, a worm farm, paper making, brick makers and containers for food recycling.
Bluff Point Primary School in Geraldton will use its grant of $2,145.29 to collect and recycle plastics, paper and organic materials.
More than 120,000 children attended 329 accredited Waste Wise Schools across WA in 2018. The program delivers educational resources aimed at changing behaviour to avoid the generation of waste and encourage diverting waste from landfill.
Accredited WWS schools are empowering their community by spreading the ‘avoid, reduce, reuse and recycle’ messages and providing their students and community with practical activities that raise awareness and reduce waste.
The Waste Wise Schools program is funded by the State Government through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account, administered by the Waste Authority.
Applications for the next round of grants for Waste Wise Schools opened on July 3, 2019. For more information on the program or to become accredited, visit
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“I am pleased to see the avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle culture at Western Australia’s schools – they are leading the behaviour change we need to avoid waste and minimise the amount we send to landfill.
“We all need to follow this example being set by our kids.
“We all have a responsibility to do the right thing and adopt smarter ways to manage our waste at home, at work and at school.
“The McGowan Government is committed to a number of strategic waste reforms. We have already banned lightweight plastic bags and will be introducing a container deposit scheme early next year.”
Minister’s office – 6552 5800
Waste Wise Schools grant recipients:
Bluff Point Primary School – $2,145.29 to collect and recycle plastics, paper and organics.
Bullsbrook College (Secondary) – $2,200.00 to buy shade sails to protect current Waste Wise projects.
Cloverdale Primary School – $2,161.00 for the school’s Recycling Green Waste project – to collect and recycle green waste using a composting system
Connolly Primary School – $1,795.00 for the school’s Waste Wise Warriors – to implement sustainable recycling practices through composting and gardening.
Cooloongup Primary School – $2,168.50 for the school’s Food Scraps and Paper Recycling project – to set up recycling and compost bins.
East Victoria Park Primary School – $4,210.44 to create Waste Wise picture books and waste sorting systems.
North Mandurah Primary School – $595.00 to purchase bins for classroom paper recycling and buckets to collect food scraps for its worm farm.
Ocean Road Primary School – $4,376.52 to reduce single use packaging in the canteen.
Rehoboth Christian College (Kenwick Primary Campus) – $2,200.00 to set up a three bin system to reduce paper and organic waste.
St Joseph’s School (Moora) – $1,763.94 to set up compost bins, worm farms, paper making, brick making and buying containers for food recycling.
St Joseph’s School (Northam) – $1,883.98 to set up compost bins and worm farms to recycle organic waste.
St Luke’s Catholic Primary School – $4,227.30 to set up an area for chickens to reduce organic waste in addition to the school’s existing worm farm.
St Mary’s College (Broome Primary Campus) – $2,200.00 to set up an area for chickens to reduce food waste along with an existing bokashi compost system.
St Patrick’s Primary School – $2,200.00 to set up a composting system and encourage waste free lunches.
St Mary’s Catholic School (Boyup Brook) – $1,220.00 to set up a fridge worm farm and training to maximise its use.
