Educational Resources
Workshops
A number of workshops and presentations are offered free of charge to community and school groups within the NetWaste Region.
Workshops include:
- A variety of waste workshops
- Smart Shopping
- Worm Wise
- Organically Speaking
- Waste To Art
"Focus on Sustainability DVD"
With the support of Broken Hill City Council NetWaste worked with 30 students from Broken Hill and Willyama High Schools in Broken Hill to develop this educational resource aimed at raising awareness about the types of changes that an average family or individual can easily make to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. The resource consists of a DVD called “Focus On Sustainability”, a set of five posters that highlight the key messages identified in the DVD and a Worksheet that has been developed to support the resource and reinforce the messages provided.
- Students were involved in a workshop initially, the purpose being to expose them to different perspectives on what sustainability means and to involve them in a number of simple activities designed to get them to really think about what sustainability means and how can they make a difference.
- With assistance, students undertook the research, script writing, prop development and acting, thus creating a unique learning experience for the group, for their schools, council staff involved, their families and friends.
Joint Recycling Education Program
In December 2005 the NetWaste group of Councils, specifically the sub-regional group consisting of Blayney, Cabonne, Forbes, Orange and Parkes commenced a regional domestic recycling and waste collection service. The services are delivered under contract by JR Richards, with recyclate processed at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) located in Orange.
The Councils recognise the importance of waste education in meeting waste objectives. The introduction of the new services provides opportunities to not only divert waste from landfill but to expand and raise the profile of waste management services in the Council areas and engage the community through a comprehensive waste education strategy.
Strategy Aim
Through provision of quality, ongoing education programs and delivery of best practice services, encourage and develop a community ethic for environmental sustainability through the minimisation and responsible management of waste.
Strategy Objectives
- Increase resource recovery through improved recycling practices
- Minimise contamination within kerbside collections
- Reduce waste generation at source through improved consumer behaviour
- Increase at-home organic waste recycling through composting and worm farming
- Reduce litter in public places
Guiding Principles
The strategy is guided by a number of key principles:
- Provision of opportunities for ‘face to face’ education, through school outreach, community workshops and other forums
- Incorporation of extensive evaluation processes to determine the effectiveness of education strategies and ensure relevance and accessibility
- Opportunities for the community to develop waste minimisation skills, above and beyond normal service compliance
- A range of media and format in order to ensure that all residents receive adequate information and motivation
