As one of only 5 Green Batch schools in the state, MRIS is forging ahead to re-purpose recycled plastic and aluminium by collaborating with a number of local businesses. The pilot project is being spearheaded by the Yr 6 Eco-Echidnas who are calling on the MRIS community to assist with the school recycling program by collecting 1 and 2 plastics and aluminium cans. Yr 6 teacher, Laura Nicholls said as one of 5 regional trial sites in WA, MRIS will collaborate with Green Batch, Rotary Margaret River, Woolworths Margaret River, and Shepherdson’s Transport. “We will collect the plastic and aluminium, Shepherdson’s will take it into town on the school bus, Rotary volunteers will co-ordinate with Woollies to ship our collection to Perth via the empty food trucks where Green Batch will turn the plastics into 3D printer filament – we will receive a quantity of filament that matches the amount of plastic we contribute. The more we collect, the more successful the arrangement,” Laura said. Milk cartons, vegetable punnets, juice bottle etc. can be deposited in the recycling bins in the Year 6 classroom. Plans are underway to build a waste-sorting station funded by a Waste Wise Grant. The station will be built by members of the Margaret River Men’s Shed.
