Here at Merici we will be focused on reducing our energy use this term with a view to gaining our Energy Accreditation from ACTsmart Schools. This means switching off appliances including lights and air conditioners when leaving a room and running air conditioning at sensible temperatures. For example, if it is 35 degrees outside, 26 degrees would be a good temperature to set your cooling systems.
However alongside this, it is also important to remember to continuously manage our waste. Every item we use has an environmental cost. Recycling is an important action that we can take to reduce our waste. In doing so we reduce the costs to the environment as well as to the school budget - removal of the recycling bins cost approximately one third of the waste bins. By sorting our waste into the correct bins, we can all make a difference by being mindful of the waste we generate as well as re-direct school funds where we want them. It is also important to do this at home as well as when out and about.
To assist with this, included for your information is a recent article about the eight common mistakes that occur in recycling. It is a useful reminder to us all of how we can improve our recycling efforts and thereby reduce our impact on the environment:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-20/eight-most-common-mistakes-with-your-recycling/10009612
(Ever since China slapped a ban on many categories of foreign waste, it's become more important than ever for Australians to adopt good recycling habits. Here's what you can do to clean up your act)
Happy Reading!
Felicity Maher
Sustainability Officer
