A collaboration between Central Coast Environmental Educators from Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre (EEC), Central Coast Council, Community Environment Network, Take3, Kariong Eco Garden, and Tangaroa Blue, is asking Central Coast schools the question; “How green is your canteen?
The project received a small grant from the Australian Association of Environmental Educators, which has meant that they can present each participating school with a gift of wooden cutlery or paper straws, and present a prize to two schools for their efforts. The winning schools for Term 1 were Pretty Beach PS and Woodport PS with Manager, Ms Jackie Stansfield, a newcomer to the green canteen scene, which until recently, were using polystyrene trays for special food days. Each school will receive a plaque from Central Coast Council, a voucher for their canteen to help them go greener, and a gift for their Canteen Manager.
The aim of the project is to encourage schools to take small steps towards zero waste.
The project has been such a success that, Ms Christine Freeman, Head Teacher at Rumbalara EEC, is committed to continuing it. “We want to keep encouraging schools to take action, and bit by bit, we will change some purchasing patterns, encourage communities to reduce single-use plastics that often become litter items and reduce the waste in our schools.” Ms Roberta Dixon, from Take3, agrees. “We have set the stage for Green Canteens Stage 2,” she said.
Ms Lisa Wriley, from Kariong Eco Garden, said: “We would like to thank Erina Paper and Packaging for helping us to source relatively earth-friendly products. “We were very pleased to hear that sales of compostable plates, cutlery and paper straws are on the increase.”
Source: Media release, May 18 Christine Freeman, Rumbalara EEC