Waste education

Our Waste Education Officer engages with the community through a range of events, programs and partnerships to influence positive waste and recycling behaviours.

Schools and community groups

Presentations and talks about waste and recycling can be given on site by Council's waste educator and can be tailored to suit your needs. Presentations are given free of charge (budget permitting).

Interested schools and community groups are welcome to contact us via resourceeducator@melton.vic.gov.au

Resources for teachers and parents

There are many readily available resources for teachers and parents who want to educate children about recycling and the environment.

Schools can visit Resource Smart Schools, an initiative encouraging sustainability in schools, which means real savings for your school budget and the environment, as well as hands-on environmental learning for students of all levels.

Events to engage your school

March - Clean up Australia Day - engage your school in a national clean up event to promote caring for the environment.
July -Plastic Free July - promote the reduction of waste by making a challenge for your community.
June -World Environment Day - highlight the importance of climate action and empower students and families to make a difference.
August - Keep Australia Beautiful week- get your community active to reduce litter in your local area.
October- National Water Week - promote the reduction of waste in your waterways and improve ecosystems for your
November - National Recycling Week - take things back to basics with Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Handbooks, guides and lesson plan ideas

Games and interactive experiences

Library Books

The Brilliant Recycling Project Book - Sara Stanford
Don't waste your food - Dougie Poynter
The Eco Family Book - Frann Preston-Gannon
I Am Not an Old Sock Project Book - Sara Stanford
I Am Not an Eggbox Project Book - Sara Stanford
I Am Not a Cereal Box - Sara Stanford
I Am Not a Toilet Roll - Sara Stanford
Plastic Sucks! You Can Make A Difference - Dougie Poynter
Protecting the planet - Louise Spilsbury
Recycling - My DIY Afternoon - Marie-Laure Pham-Bouwens
Rubbish or recycling? A story about rubbish and why it's important to recycle - Deborah Chancellor
You can save the planet – Jacquie Wines

Discussion topics with videos

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch - a man-made phenomenon, largely made up of discarded plastics. Discuss with students what they can do to make a positive environmental difference.
Australasian Recycling Label - learn about the labelling system used on Australian products.
The Story of Stuff - This video gets you thinking about the real cost of consumerism.

Other environmental resources, including incursions and excursions arranged by Council, can be found on our Environment and sustainability webpages.

Check what goes in which bin through our A - Z Waste Guide.

Events

Clean Up Australia Day

Clean up your neighbourhood by collecting and removing rubbish. Register to join the clean up by visiting Clean Up Australia Day If you know of another site that needs love, attention, and a good clean, you can register your own clean-up site online.

If you choose to register your own site, Melton City Council can assist with site planning and rubbish removal. Contact our Waste Services Department on 03 9747 5360 for more information or resourceeducator@melton.vic.gov.au