Dapto High’s Green Group is setting the standard for sustainability in schools. Photos: Dapto High School.
Environmentally savvy students at Dapto High have salvaged hundreds of thousands of containers from their school bins and used the funds raised through recycling to make their school a better place.
The Green Group initiative was launched by students and teachers to make Dapto High more environmentally friendly while also earning money to put towards new school infrastructure.
“The Green Group is a group that cleans up around the school and collects the paper and the cans,” student Tiana said.
Another student, Thomas, said: “We sort out the cans into other bags and then they go to Return and Earn and then the school gets the money from those.”
The program started in 2018 with just a few students who approached teacher David Bateman about finding ways to make the school more sustainable.
And interest has continued to grow.
“The uptake is huge,” principal Joel Burnett said. “We have more than 50 students who are active members of Green Group.”
By going through the school bins, students have gained a better understanding of wastage and their footprint.
Teacher and Green Group leader Sean Ainsworth said: “Sadly, there’s a lot of packaging in bins and a lot of things which are the product of what people are eating, and it allows them to reflect on what’s actually going into the environment.”
Dapto High students are helping to reduce the school’s waste.
But the benefits of recycling the containers go beyond helping the environment, with students claiming 10 cents per item to put back into the school.
“Return and Earn is one thing that has captured students’ attention in that it involves money and making money,” founder Mr Bateman said.
Mr Burnett added: “The kids, they’re the ones that choose what the money is spent on and how we make the school a better place.”
The students have already recycled about 300,000 containers, saving them from landfill as well as reducing water and energy usage, and carbon emissions.
Plus, it’s earned them a pretty penny.
Mr Ainsworth said: “So the refunds at the moment are going towards drinking fountains with ice water, and we’ve got sunscreen dispensers.”
The team’s enthusiasm and innovation have been recognised, with Mr Bateman receiving the Return and Earn Program Leader Award at the NSW Environmental Education Awards last year.
And students Ella and Alyssa would like to see more school groups take up the initiative to better support their education, environment, facilities and students.
“Return and Earn is something that all schools should do because it helps raise money for new things in their schools,” Ella said.
Alyssa added: “I would say it’s a great thing to become a part of. It is positive for your school and for the students’ wellbeing.”
Schools, businesses and individuals can receive 10-cent returns for eligible bottles, cans and cartons, which can be recycled at dozens of Return and Earn facilities across the region.
Funds raised through recycling can also be donated directly to charity through the Return and Earn app.
For more information, visit the Return and Earn website.
