1 October 2024 | Wild and wet weather put a spanner in the works for a planned excursion for Grade 3/4 students from Lindisfarne North Primary School, when the Copping Landfill Site was closed due to the weather. 

Undeterred, the class embarked on a modified excursion which saw them jump on a bus and tour the Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station. On board the bus, they learned how the waste transfer station worked and the options for recycling before anything ends up in landfill. 

As part of the excursion, students got to explore the properties of disposed and recycled material, understand how they are processed and consider how Tasmanians can play a crucial role in minimising and managing waste for future generations.

This included a visit to the Second Chance Re-Use it shop, where they saw the concepts of reusing and upcycling in action. The shop features a wide range of low cost pre-loved recoverable and reusable items, from housewares to building materials. 

Developed by Landcare Tasmania, in partnership with Southern Waste Solutions and the Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station, the Let’s Explore Waste school education program shows waste disposal and recycling in action, teaching students to better understand their waste consumption and disposal habits. 

Back at school, the pre and post excursion lesson plans were enthusiastically embraced by the students and teachers.

On top of the list was the Nude Food Detective activity, where students conducted an audit of their lunch boxes, discovering who has only nude food (no packaging), and who had other variations on the theme.

The teachers provided great feedback on the Let's Explore Waste program.

"The unit of work you sent prior to the excursion is fantastic.  I did everything in it and it was good how it was linked to the curriculum." 

"I’d have to say that it was one of the best excursions that I have taken a class on!"

It was great to receive feedback from parents too. They spoke about the way their children really enjoyed the excursion and how they had never thought to do an excursion to a waste facility but they realised it is important for the students to see how our waste is managed. And how we can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

Thanks to Southern Waste Solutions - Copping Landfill employees and Mornington Park Waste Transfer Station employees, as well as Lindisfarne North Primary students, teachers and helpers for a fabulous excursion. 

Find out more about the Let's explore waste program here.

This program is delivered as part of Landcare Tasmania's Education program, in partnership with Southern Waste Solutions and Mornington Waste Transfer Station.