As international students start to return to Western Australia, we’re kick-starting our Containers for Change initiative to help the environment and a local charity.
We’re hoping to have many more students join us on campus in the coming weeks and months.
This will mean a great deal more recycling and more money to donate to a worthy cause.
Around 88% of the students enrolled in our pathway-to-university programs are currently studying online from their homes overseas.
But many students are now preparing to join us on campus after recent news that the Western Australian border will open on March 3.
Canning College’s Containers for Change initiative will be an ongoing project, which means students currently on campus, and those who will be joining us in the future, can contribute to the cause.
We’re really looking forward to seeing more students here in Perth and helping us with this project.
Simple actions, powerful results
Students and staff are encouraged to put refundable cans, bottles and other containers in the marked bins in the cafeteria, student lounge, student services and staff room.
These bins are for containers marked with a “10c refund at collection depots” label, or similar.
If you already take your 10c recyclables to a local depot, you can choose to donate some of your refund to Canning College.
Simply scan the code at your collection point and select Canning College.
We will make sure your donation is passed on to our chosen charity.
Keep reading to find out which charity will be receiving the funds from our recycling efforts.
But if it’s easier, or if you are not currently using a recycling depot, bring your containers into Canning College and drop them into one of the bins.
Choosing a charity
We expect that by the middle of the year, our campus population will be much busier, and we’ll then be in a position to take the next step.
This will involve asking our students to research some suitable local charities that are listed on the Containers for Change website.
Student input will be considered before an organisation or cause is selected to receive the proceeds of our Containers for Change initiative.
Why we care about the environment
We all know that our environment is precious.
Here in Western Australia, we have blue skies, golden sand and clean water lapping on to our beaches.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t have to work to keep it that way.
With the effects of climate change, plastics in the world’s oceans and huge amounts of waste going to landfill, the world environment is under a lot of strain.
As a college exclusively focused on the education of international students, we feel globally connected.
Our Containers for Change initiative allows Canning College to contribute to a global challenge from a local perspective.
Western Australia’s role
Although Perth has a relatively small population of around two million people, the small steps we take can have a significant, positive impact on the environment.
Every year, the people of Western Australia use 1.3 billion drink containers.
These soft drink cans, fruit juice cartons and water bottles can end up in landfill, contributing to waste.
But there is a way to dispose of these items that is better for the environment.
Most drink bottles that are made of glass and plastic, cans made of aluminium and steel, and some cartons made of paperboard can be recycled instead.
And it is incredible how this recycled material can be put to good use in future.
Containers can be turned into many things, pens, shoes, road base, furniture, new drink containers and even aeroplane wings.
Find our more at Containers For Change.
