Environmental education seeks to empower those of all ages to better care for our environment; it allows us to take responsibility for our actions and helps us to create a sustainable outlook for future generations.
With Australia’s changing climate, economy and substantial growth in population, it is now more pertinent than ever to educate those around us on the importance of proper waste and recycling disposal, to diminish the stress on our environment.
In the 2011 State of the Environment Report, it was identified that there are a number of pressures impacting Australia’s natural environment, most notably of these is our change in climate. Add to this an increase in population, and we ultimately see higher energy consumption, waste to landfill, urban sprawl and escalating pollution within our storm water systems. Such issues further lead to a decline in biodiversity due to land clearing, degradation of land and waterways as well as habitat fragmentation to name but a few.
Although it’s not all bad news, as despite these growing concerns, recycling rates in Australia continue to improve. The ABS indicates that in the space of just thirteen years (1996-2009), almost all households within Australia (99%) currently practice some form of recycling; which can be seen as a direct result from education and awareness. Environmental Education has been an active ingredient within the Australian schooling curriculum for more than 30 years; and this change in consciousness of the importance of diverting waste away from traditional landfill is becoming more prevalent every day.
Veolia Environmental Services, as one of Australia’s leading waste management and recycling companies believes that the key is to not only increase our annual recycling rates, but to also improve the habitual behaviours of waste disposal; of which can be achieved through waste education.
Veolia currently offers a vast range of waste and recycling services, recovering materials including paper, cardboard, metals and commingled glass and plastics. Veolia also processes and recovers potentially hazardous materials including electronic waste, batteries and liquid waste.
In 2010, Veolia launched the Getting Wise About Waste educational initiative that is currently used within both schools and the workplace. The program incorporates a vast collection of materials to help people understand how to identify waste streams and subsequently utilise the correct disposal method.
If you would like more information about waste education either at your school, or within the workplace, please contact Veolia.
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