Ever wondered what sustainability in action looks like? Not sure how to make it happen in your tuckshop, in amongst all the competing priorities?
At Kenmore South State School in Brisbane, co-convenors Sarah Potts and Sachiko Polak have successfully implemented a Sustainability Program, transforming their tuckshop into the nucleus of their eco-friendly school community.
It all started about 5 years ago, when Sarah and Sachiko applied for and received a small community grant. The $5,000 grant enabled them to purchase their first compost bin. Recycling bins across the school yards came next, and progressively food waste bins have been placed in all the popular eating spots around the school.
Sarah says that reducing food waste was a top priority and happily reports that within the tuckshop, 100% of all food waste is now used for the compost.
Across the school, she estimates 50% of all food waste from students is given back to compost.
While humble in her achievements, Sarah has, slowly but surely, created a wonderful space that encourages students to get involved and take ownership of the sustainability practices at Kenmore South State School.
Sarah emphasises that you can start with small changes and just give something a go to see if it works, and the impromptu edible garden near the tuckshop is a great example.
“I needed to find a spot for all the compost and organic matter generated from the compost bins, so I created a small garden along the fence line near the tuckshop,” Sarah said.
This proved so popular with the school, they have committed to building a three-tiered garden bed up the entire embankment, which will ultimately see the size of the vegetable garden increase four-fold. This will enable even more food to be grown for use in the tuckshop and throughout the school.
Sarah and Sachiko have achieved other sustainability goals in their short time as convenors, including:
- All packaging is 100% compostable or recyclable. This initiative was prompted by the Queensland Government’s single-use plastics ban, which Sarah seized upon as an opportunity for change.
- Recycling bins around the school in all popular eating places and classrooms.
- They are working towards a zero-waste tuckshop.
- Developed garden care programs for students.
- Grows plants designed as pollen collection sites for the school’s native bee population.
Sachiko Polak, Sarah’s partner in the tuckshop, said that Sarah’s passion for the environment and sustainability is inspiring.
“It’s been great to see how the small changes made in the tuckshop have now grown in a mutually supportive nature with the school,” Sachiko said.
Sarah and Sachiko have always had the support of the school in implementing whatever changes they felt would work and in fact, several staff in the school management team are equally passionate about spreading the sustainability message.
QAST staff were lucky enough to chat to students reaping the rewards of this program, when we met with student members of the Eco Marines and the Dr Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots Program, as well as representatives from the Student Council.
Each group is responsible for different sustainability activities across the school, from designing posters raising awareness about rubbish, to working in the gardens laying compost, and weeding.
Brisbane City Council also provided free interactive waste management workshops for the whole-school to participate in during lunch times. The hands-on workshops provided opportunities for students to practice responsible sorting of their lunch waste.
It’s clear that the students are very proud of their school and their achievements, and they love having a delicious tuckshop they have contributed to!
Sarah encourages other tuckshop convenors to just take the plunge when it comes to putting in place some sustainability measures, starting with small changes like separating rubbish.
She acknowledges there may be a slight increase in running costs initially, but this soon evens out, and you return to being profitable.
Here are her top tips for getting started on becoming a more sustainable tuckshop (and school):
- Food waste diversion: ensure kids know what goes into which bin using signs, then help them to stick to it with clever bin placement.
- Jump online to packaging provider websites to see what recyclable or compostable products you can easily switch to in the tuckshop.
- Find the people within the school community who share your goal of a more sustainable school, and brainstorm ideas.
Working together, the Kenmore South State School community has settled into the changes, and a more sustainable way of doing things has become second nature.
Keen to learn more about the amazing work Sarah and Sachiko are doing in their tuckshop? Listen to the Sustainability in action in tuckshops episode of The Talking Healthier Tuckshops Podcast for inspiration.
Are you interested in doing more to manage waste in your school tuckshop?
Did you know that about one-third of all food produced for human consumption around the world goes to waste? The impact of food waste is immense, so it’s vital to focus on managing our food waste using sustainable practices.
As soon as you start throwing away fewer resources, particularly food, you’re making strides to reduce your carbon footprint. Reducing food waste can also save you money and reduce the amount of garbage your tuckshop produces.
Your school community can benefit greatly from sustainable practices you implement, helping build lifelong food waste avoidance and reduction behaviours for students and their families.
There are many ways that tuckshops produce waste, but the good news is that you can do a lot to reduce yours.
Here’s some simple ideas to get you started.
This case study was developed as part of the Healthier Tuckshops program funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland.
