Last term we introduced the children to composting.
Our fallen leaves and food scraps are now being turned into nutritious compost for our veggie patch and other plantings. Our visit from Brad Van Luyt of Sutherland Shire Council gave us a great start to this ongoing process.
This term, we are very excited to be introducing some additional initiatives in our preschool.
The first initiative is the REDcycle Program – soft plastic recycling.
Any soft plastic that can be scrunched into a ball can be placed in a REDcycle drop –off bin. They can be found in Engadine at both Coles and Woolworth’s supermarkets. This recycling prevents plastics going into landfill allowing them to be recycled and upcycled into such things as plastic seating for parks and schools.
Our initial introduction of the REDcycle program to the children had them very excited and keen to place their “scrunchy” plastic and squeeze pouches of yogurt and fruit puree into a special new bin. We now have bins for REDcycle, chicken feed, composting and paper recycling.
To reinforce our sustainable practices, we’d love it if all our preschool families implemented the REDcycle program at home with your children.
The full list of exactly what can be placed in the REDcycle bins can be found on the REDcycle website: www.redcycle.net.au
The second initiative we are introducing is the “Return and Earn” bottle and can recycling.
Families are invited to bring their bottles and cans to preschool to go in the blue top bins that will be placed just inside our front gate. The money we get from the blue bin recycling will then be donated to the local charity “Dandelion Network Inc”, which is a Sutherland Shire volunteer organisation established to provide nursery items and other goods to local families in need. For every bottle and can we collect, the Dandelion network will receive 10 cents. Eligible bottles and drink cans need to e between 150ml and 3 litres in size, in good condition (not broken or crushed) and have their labels still attached. They can be made of glass, plastic, aluminium, steel or cartons. The full details of accepted drink containers and bottles can be found on www.returnandearn.org.au
Any further questions you may have or information you would like please speak to Jacqui in the Bilby room and Megan in the Gumnuts room and they will be more than happy to assist you.
As a preschool we are excited to be introducing and implementing both of these programs.
There is a great link that Sharon has given me about the war on waste and how we can all help our planet and leave it cleaner for our children and future generations. Its called Plastic Addiction and runs for 4 minutes the link is https://vimeo.com/212684767