This Term all the Year 4s are looking at sustainability and how we can be good stewards for God in looking after the Earth. On 25 July, the Year 4s and the Year 4 boys from Year 3/4 went to the Regional Resource Recovery Centre in Canning Vale.
We saw what recycled material looks like from our local recycling bins. One student commented that it looked like a dune made of paper. We observed as some material was moved onto the conveyor belt and how it separated into paper, mixed plastic, metal cans, and aluminium.
This machine cost $20 million and is one of the biggest in Australia!
When they have separated the paper and bound it into large blocks, they are shipped off to South East Asia to be made into something else.
Not only did we see how our rubbish is recycled, but we also saw how they make compost out of our waste from our leftovers, scraps, and green waste.
The process begins with the rubbish truck collecting and disposing of our weekly waste. They dump it into a large warehouse where it is sorted by removing plastic bags. The rest of the waste is transported to four large composts filters.
They are the largest compost filters in the southern hemisphere.
It turns for three days until it breaks down into compost and soil. Most of the class felt this was the smelliest thing they have ever smelt.
We have learnt how important it is for us to sort out our rubbish and to reuse what we can. If not, most of our rubbish will be placed in landfill and it can contaminate the land for almost fifty years. Even though grass and plants grow over this rubbish, it cannot be developed for living animals or people to survive in.
We understand now how imperative it is for all of us to look after and care for God’s planet. If we care for God’s world now, we will leave a legacy for future generations.
