What a Waste!!!

WOW! today Ms Berry and Jean Pugh took 20 Enviro-leaders on a tour of the Hutt Cities waste plants.  The aim was to discover where our waste goes when we either put it in the recycling bin, or throw it in our wheelie bins.  We began by looking at the big ideas behind why we were going on this adventure... What happens to our waste and where we think it goes.

Firstly, we started with the wheelie bins.  Destination Landfill!  We were shocked to see how much recyclable and reusable waste people were stuffing into their bins.  Did you know that when you chuck your waste into a wheelie bin it ALL gets put directly into the ground?  WOULD you put rubbish into your front garden? NO!!!!!!

BIG IDEA FROM DESTINATION 1: If we reduce the amount of waste going into our wheelie bins we are saving our earth from being dug up.  Would you like a massive landfill being set up in your back yard? but sorting out our rubbish into re-usables and recyclables we could make a landfill last 80years instead of only 40yrs!

Secondly, we visited Earth-link.  Earth-link is an amazing privately run 'not for profit' organization.  Its aim is to re-use old junk. at this massive warehouse they run operations such as the CURTAIN BANK. The idea is that people need to insulate their houses, however not every one can afford to buy curtains.  A lot of families are unable to afford to heat their houses, no curtains means X2 on your average power bill!!!!  SO they re-use peoples curtains, giving them to families for FREE! They also train people on how to take copper out of washing machines, fix old, dirty or broken electronic devices and sew recycled clothing.  All of the money from the sales of these 'recycled' items goes directly back to the people who work there!!

BIG IDEA FROM DESTINATION 2: if we re-use, or recycle waste and products we use less raw materials from the earth!  ( it takes 500,000 kgs of rock to mine 1 kg of copper!!!)

Lastly: Our final destination was the Allbright waste recycling plant in Seaview.  This place was awesome!!! All of the rubbish you put into this green recycling bins gets collected and ends up here.  This plant sorts, compacts and exports everything from glass to paper to plastic.   These guys make a huge contribution to our planets well-being!  It was amazing to learn that it does make a difference to sort your recycling!!! WASH YOUR RECYCLABLES! AND did you know that reduced plastic, card and glass is wellingtons second largest export!!!

BIG IDEA FROM DESTINATION 3:  Sorting out your waste makes a huge invaluable contribution to protecting our world- YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

We will be using the knowledge, excitement and determination which we gleaned from today's event to re-develop how we manage our waste at Muritai School.  As a green-gold school we are always looking at how we can do things better.  Thank-you so much to Hutt City Council for funding this excellent learning opportunity!
GET OUT YOUR GREEN BINS!!!!!