Schools can be a powerful force in driving change towards environmental sustainability within communities.
CCGS aims to reduce its ecological footprint through the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices in our everyday lives. We aim to lead the community by developing strategies to reduce waste and water usage, monitor and reduce energy usage, enhance campus biodiversity and advance environmental literacy.
We have a strategic commitment as outlined in the strategic plan, Striving for Excellence 2021-2025 to enhance the environmental sustainability of the School's operations.
Environmental sustainability achievements
Just some of our achievements to date:
- LED lights installed campus wide.
- Only compostable food containers, utensils and other sustainable packaging options provided by the school canteen.
- Student-led Environmental Action Group and involvement in Take 3 For The Sea, Clean Up Australia Day and Clean4Shore
- Steady reduction in waste sent to landfill through increased recycling and initiatives such as Waste Free Wednesday.
- Solar panels installed on the Junior School, Library, RLC and Performing Arts Centre roofs; 25 percent of the school's power is now generated onsite.
- Steady reduction in water usage through the collection of water on site.
- Only biodegradable disposable gloves used onsite.
- Extensive planting, in particular of indigenous and drought resistant species, to support biodiversity and reduce water usage.
- Steady reduction of onsite printing.
- Purposeful environmental design of the Junior School to take advantage of natural ventilation and lighting to reduce energy usage.
- UPPAREL old school uniform recycling.
- Cleaning products reviewed to ensure the highest environmental credentials.
- Curby soft plastics recycling introduced, currently collecting approximately 25m3 per year.
- Three-bin waste system (landfill, comingled recycling and soft plastics) introduced to Senior College
Next steps
- Roll out three-bin waste system to Years K - 9 in 2024.
- Establish separate organic waste collection stream in 2025.
- Review procurement policy to favour organisations that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and improving their environmental credentials.
- Complete mapping of the environmental sustainability curriculum K to 12.
- Review environmental credentials for all products used in maintaining gardens and grounds.
- Continued digitisation of current paper-based work processes.
- Continued reduction of onsite printing.
- Audit of carbon footprint in 2025 to analyse progress since 2022 audit.
- Install energy monitoring equipment in key locations, specifically to monitor HVAC usage.
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