Hot news:

Solar in Schools

The Solar in Schools initiative supports Victorian schools and community facilities to install solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems, interactive energy monitoring systems and provide educational materials on renewable energy and energy demand .

The application details for Round Two of Solar in Schools are now available for download.

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Green Vouchers for Schools Programme

Green Vouchers for Schools helps Australian primary and secondary schools improve their energy and water efficiency by providing assistance for rainwater tanks, a solar hot water system or both, up to the value of $50,000 (GST exclusive).

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Waste Wise Tip

Set systems up so that everyone can send faxes directly from their computer instead of printing out and putting on the fax machine. Saves paper, toner and time! Set systems up so that everyone can send faxes directly from their computer instead of printing out and putting on the fax machine. Saves paper, toner and time!

Waste Wise Fact

Over 90% of the materials in mobile phones can be recycled into new products as diverse as plastic fence posts and jewellery. To find out your closest collection point click here

School Summit

The Australian Government is inviting Australian primary and secondary schools to a participate in a series of School Summits in the lead-up to the Australia 2020 summit on 19 and 20 April.

The aim of the Australia 2020 summit is to look at Australia’s future challenges and find innovative solutions by harnessing the best ideas across the nation from Australians with experience, accepted standing, credibility and authority.

The summits will be held nationally over a period of three weeks (weeks beginning 17, 24 and 31 March on a day chosen by individual schools)

To register to hold a summit at your school, please complete the online registration form by 7 March 2008.

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Home Computer Reuse and Recycling

Want to know what to do with that old computer at home?

Quality working computers and software can be donated to PC's For Kids for reuse - phone 5221 9211

A Computer Recycling Service is also provided FREE OF CHARGE through the byteback program operating at the Douro St Transfer Station North Geelong

Looking for an excursion to support your Waste Wise Initiatives? Look no further! The Barwon Waste Wise Education Centre inspires and empowers people to make responsible choices for a sustainable future.

Our programs are interactive and involve a diverse range of hands-on and small group activities. Our programs are linked to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS).

Click on the titles of the programs below to access the information sheets or the program brochure to see a brief overview of all our programs

NEW PROGRAMS
The Never Ending Raindrop (Years P-2)
Our Watery World (Years 5/6)

REVISED PROGRAMS (Years 7-10)
Introduction to Sustainability

Sustainability through Materials Efficiency

To view the Program Brochure click here
To view pictures of the Centre click here
To access a booking sheet click here

Creating Forests with TREES

Schools ready to make real reductions in the volume of greenhouse gases they produce can lower their energy consumption by using a new tool called TREES.

The Tool for Replication of Energy Efficiency at Schools (TREES) is a software tool (in a CD format) that has been sent out to all Victorian Government schools during October 2007.

TREES can be used to make significant energy, greenhouse gas and financial savings, and can be incorporated within the school’s curriculum in subjects like science and mathematics.

According to the School Energy Shutdown Guide, schools have the opportunity to save an average of $4000 and at least $2,000 every year by reducing energy consumption.  Schools can import their own energy use data and calculate improvements.

TREES offers 18 energy saving actions that schools can undertake, with the resultant energy, greenhouse gases and financial savings calculated, as well as the number of trees that would need to be planted to abate these greenhouse gases.

In order to help them identify where they can save energy, all schools have been sent a lux meter (to show areas that are over-lit) and a thermometer (to identify if appliances are running too hot or cold).

TREES is also available for independent and catholic schools and other organisations. To access this program click here.
For further information email: environment@edumail.vic.gov.au

RESOURCESMART SCHOOLS
IS COMING
Sustainability Victoria has launched a new brand, ResourceSmart, as the single call-to-action for all Victorians to conserve energy, materials and water - at home, at work and out & about. It will also deliver practical advice Victorians need to make the necessary changes in their lives to become ResourceSmart.

ResourceSmart Schools aims to:
> make sustainable behaviours everyday practice
> provide a pathway towards environmental sustainability
> recognise different levels of performance through a certification

ResourceSmart Schools will be launched at Greening Australia’s Toolbox for Environmental Change forum on Thursday 13 March, 2008 at Melbourne Museum. A number of key program delivery elements will begin implementation in Term 2, 2008.

Full details of how you can get involved will be available after Thursday March 13.

From Term 2, 2008, ResourceSmart Schools 5 star certification will be offered in Victorian Schools.
Once ResourceSmart 5 Star is in place no new AuSSI Vic or Waste Wise certifications will be awarded, rather, certifications will be coordinated under one umbrella of ResourceSmart 5 star.  This approach will then be consistent with the approach being introduced in state and local government, business and small to medium enterprises.

Current certifications under AuSSI Vic and Waste Wise will continue to be recognised in the new system until they expire and all your efforts carried out under these programs will be transferred across to ResourceSmart 5 star. Arrangements for the transition, including how schools will be supported to transition across to ResourceSmart 5 star are still being confirmed. Further information will be provided as soon as details
become available.

For further information contact: Kate Greer, Sustainability Victoria, kate.greer@sustainability.vic.gov.au