Sustainability Noticeboard
We’re here with a simple purpose – to protect what we love. Every sustainable change we make today will create a safer future for our children.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
Sustainability is the practice of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations (including our children’s generation) to meet their own.
♻️ TIPS FOR PACKING WASTE-FREE LUNCHES
A waste-free lunch means everything is eaten, composted, or recycled. It doesn’t contain packaging or wrappers that will be throw in the rubbish bin.
Tip #1 Choose Reusables: Use containers or beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap. They last longer, save money over time, and reduce waste.
Tip #2 Buy in Bulk: Opt for larger packs of juice, yoghurt, crackers, and cheese rather than single-serve portions. Many lunchboxes have sealed sections to ensure foods (including yoghurt) in one section doesn’t carry over to another section.
Tip #3 Recycle Soft Plastics: If packaged items are needed for dietary or other reasons, you can recycle soft plastics at home through Willoughby Council’s free Home Cycle service.
Some visual examples of waste-free lunches are pictured below.
WHAT ARE BEESWAX WRAPS?
Beeswax wraps are a great alternative to plastic wrap (i.e. “Glad Wrap”) because they are:
- Non-toxic
- Reusable
- Washable
- Biodegradable
- Compostable
You can use them to wrap anything you’d use plastic wrap for, including:
- Sushi
- Onigiri
- Sandwiches
- Cut fruit and vegetable sticks
- Cheese and crackers
- Chips
- Biscuits
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Cakes
Some examples below on how to use beeswax wraps (to replace plastic wrap).
🌿 LEARNINGS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS
At last weekend’s Glenaeon Fair, organisers achieved a completely waste-free event. Every container collected went straight into compost, rather than landfill. Curious about how it worked? The team dug a pit, layered logs, added all compostable packaging and napkins from the fair, and covered it with soil. This process creates a nutrient-rich mound ready for planting, with packaging breaking down in about 6 weeks.
Inspired by this approach, the NPS Sustainability Committee is exploring similar strategies to make our events as close to zero-waste as possible – building on our success with the reusable coffee cups at our Mother’s and Father’s Day events this year.
