Sustainability Corner

Plastic Free July at Ripponlea Primary

Our Student Sustainability Leaders have decided to continue the tradition and get the RPS community involved in Plastic Free July again this year.  

What is Plastic Free July?

Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. 

When is it happening?

Monday 22nd July until Friday 2nd August.

What do we need to do to get involved?

We encourage our school community to bring in lunchboxes containing “nude food” which is food without plastic or packaging. This is actually something the school already promotes via their Healthy Eating policy and something we encourage everyone to continue when Plastic Free July officially ends. 

How will it work?

It will be coordinated by the Student Leaders with a tally of plastic free lunches. 

The Impact

• Students are often keen to make a difference and willing to make small changes if they can see the bigger purpose/feel part of a larger movement. 
• A simple switch can have a huge multiplier effect.
• Schools are also often a great base for broader change.
•  Many students and teachers start to adopt plastic free practices in their everyday lives outside of school, too.

Can you give me some tips on helping my children achieve a “nude food” lunchbox?

• Investing in a lunchbox with compartments (like a bento box) which helps avoid the need for wrapping and keeps food nicely separated.
• Fill with cut up fruit and/or vegetables and add a dollop of dip for extra taste.
• Bake snacks such as muffins, slices or protein balls at home instead of buying treats wrapped in plastic.
• Buy larger bags of popcorn, crackers or biscuits etc and put into reusable containers to reduce the overall plastic.
• Similarly jars of pickles, olives or larger blocks of cheese.
• Investing in reusable yoghurt pouches that can be filled then cleaned after each use.

What other ideas can you suggest that I can take into my everyday life to help make a difference?

• Buy a reusable water bottle.
• Bring a reusable coffee cup or have your coffee in if you forget.
• When buying loose produce use plastic free alternatives such as lightweight reusable produce bags.
• Bring your own reusable shopping bags.
• Refuse plastic straws and cutlery when you take away or buy your own reusables so you can BYO.
• Avoid using cleaning/home products packaged in single use plastic – bulk food stores stock refillable household cleaning products to assist with this. You also can incorporate things like Dishwasher Eco-Sheets & buy eco-friendly products etc.
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
• What small change will you commit to make an impact on reducing plastic this July…. 🙂
• Checkout Recycle Smart for more ideas 

How do your gardens grow…?

This newsletter we wish to share a mid-year progress report of our Productive Gardens.

At the beginning of the year the Sustainability Commitee intentionally set out to continue & create gardens at Ripponlea Primary that: produced food including indigenous plants and herbs, share grown vegetables with our community, engage children where possible yet as a priority get the systems flowing so we could sustain their presence in the school, moving forward. 

These intentions like the seedlings we plant are beginning to flourish in wonderful ways. 

This week, it was lovely to hear our gardens are getting a little more attention than from the birds & petty vandals. New parents visiting our school have commented that it is a big plus to Ripponlea Primary to have children see & play amongst gardens that grow food.

We agree whole heartedly. 

Market day was held last fortnight when Cauliflowers were ready. Thank you for everyone supporting the markets. 

We’d like to ask any IOUs to be paid to the office as soon as possible.  We’d like to buy a greenhouse to grow seedlings soon. 

We are looking forward to reaping more winter Bounty soon and preparing for Spring Season.

Yet before we kiss the Winter season, maybe a touch prematurely, farewell - We’d like to also share some of the amazing 🤩 veg that have been growing:

Check out the BRUSSEL SPROUTS!!! 

Apparently, it was rumoured that two Ripper children tasted them and gave two thumbs up.  

If there’s a possibility it was your children, your family needs to get to the next Market because the Brussel Sprouts are looking GREAT.

Until next fortnight