Waste education

Animated image of kids and bins at Rethink Centre

We deliver programs to engage the community and promote sustainable waste practices. This empowers residents to avoid and reduce waste, recycle correctly and make informed, sustainable choices.

Primary school excursion

Visit Bellfield's working recycling centre. Open to all primary schools across Victoria, Land-Phil’s Growing Problem is an engaging and interactive performance that follows the quest to stop a mysterious eco-entity named Phil from growing larger and larger. Phil, also known as Land-Phil, represents the valuable resources we send to landfill when items that could be refused, reused, repaired, repurposed, recycled or composted are thrown away instead.

Guided by an enthusiastic and eccentric Professor, audiences will embark on a series of challenges to uncover what is fuelling Land-Phil’s growth and discover practical actions we can all take to shrink him. Through humour, adventure and audience participation, the show empowers students to make smarter choices and rethink waste.

The program is designed for students in Years 3 and 4.

Contact the Waste Education Team

School incursion program

Our school incursion program includes a variety of topics which can be tailored to your school's specific needs or sustainability and waste goals.

Primary school

For primary schools we have developed a range of programs to spark curiosity, inspire action and empower students to think differently and creatively about waste. The topics align to key curriculum areas and can be tailored to your schools specific needs.

Litter and its impacts on our environment (P-2)

This topic uses our local waterways to discuss how litter moves about in our environment, the impacts of pollution on our ecosystems and how we can work to prevent littering within our school environments.

Where does my rubbish/recycling go? (P-6)

This topic investigates which items belong in which bin (using examples for both kerbside bins at home and bins at school) and delves into the life cycle of items once you put them into the bin and the journeys they go on.

Food organic recycling (P-6)

This topic has the ability to be flexible depending on your school's approach to organic recycling. We work with students to plan how they can implement a food recycling system within the school environment, and can aid in the setup of worm farms, composting systems or solar cones.

Waste auditing and action plan (5-6 or Environment Team)

This topic involves the collection, sorting and analysis of the school’s waste. Students gain an understanding of the school's biggest waste streams, and opportunities for resource recovery. Using the data collected, we work with students to develop effective waste management plans for your school.

Book a primary incursion

Leadership support

We also offer support to student leadership or environment/green teams in developing plans for ongoing projects, up-skilling in environmental leadership or working towards your school’s sustainability goals.

Secondary school

For older students, we can work with teachers to develop sessions suited to your specific needs, fields of interest or educational outcomes.

Let us know what you are working on.

Book an incursion or register interest

Community programs

The Waste Education Team runs a variety of programs for groups and organisations throughout the year on how to reduce waste, recycle right and live more sustainably.

Through practical workshops and hands-on learning, we empower residents of all ages to make simple changes that have a big impact. Whether you are curious about composting, keen to cut down on food waste, or ready to rethink your recycling, there’s a program for you.

Book a community education session

Upcoming events