PBC has embraced the Container Deposit Scheme since its introduction in Queensland on 1 November 2018. Since then, PBC has raised over $9,500 simply by collecting empty beverage containers. This money will be spent on sustainability initiatives around the school.

Students can continue to support this program while at school by placing their empty beverage containers in one of the many blue bins around the school before school or during lunch breaks. If you can encourage your child to do this, making sure the container is empty and the lid is off, it would really help us to increase the amount of money we raise each week.

For parents and the wider community, you can help us continue to raise money by bringing your empty beverage containers to our weekly Wednesday morning drop-off at the Reds Gate on the oval. Orange bags can be collected from school (Mr Pasley – D block staffroom or Miss Benigno – G block staffroom) or containers can be in plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Orange bags are available from the drop-off point on Wednesday mornings. The drop-off is open from 7:00-8:45am every Wednesday.

Eligible containers are shown in the image below.

Generally speaking, these items are eligible:

• water bottle
• soft drink bottles/can
• juice bottles/cartons/poppers
• flavoured milk bottles/cartons
• beer bottles/cans
• mixed alcoholic drink cans/bottles (not pure spirits)

The containers excluded from the scheme are:

• plain milk containers (including plant-based milks)
• containers smaller than 150mL or larger than 3L
• wine bottles
• pure spirits bottles
• pure juice bottles 1L or larger (fruit drinks are accepted but only pure juice under 1L is included)

If every student at PBC brought in one orange bag full of containers (approximately 50 containers), this would generate $12,500 per fortnight. Over the course of the school year, this would equate to $250,000. This money would go a long way to making PBC a much more sustainable place, funding a range of initiatives that could include things like solar power.

Thank you for supporting sustainability at PBC. We are working hard to reduce waste and improve the amount we recycle. Please feel free to contact Mr Pasley (tpasl1@eq.edu.au) if you would like more information about the Container Deposit Scheme or sustainability more generally at PBC.#redsgogreen

The Hon Karen Andrews MP

MP Karen Andrews visited Palm Beach Currumbin State High School last week to present a $20,000 cheque to the School as a part of the Communities Environment Program. The schools successful application for the esteemed grant will facilitate the purchase of a commercial capacity compost tumbler that will process large volumes of organic waste material from the school and partners within the wider community, into rich compost. Students Hannah Daley and Erin Woods had the opportunity to discuss the project with the MP and the future plans of the Sustainability Committee.

Global Wave Conference

Last Wednesday, 12 February, a small group of eager PBC students braved the wild weather to attend the 6th Biennal Global Wave Conference held at Southern Cross University. The conference brought together industry professionals and impassioned students to discuss some of the most challenging ocean issues the world is currently faced with. Year 9 student Hannah Daley represented PBC at the conference by participating in a panel comprised of student leaders in the field of sustainability from a variety of schools on the coast. Students were asked about their involvement in positive environmental and social change in their respective schools and communities. 

Tom Pasley and Bianca Benigno
Sustainability Coordinators