sustainability@brunswick

Angela Olah

Sustainability Coordinator

The Sustainability Club and likeminded environmentally conscientious students have finished off the school year with another successful term, making invaluable contributions to protecting the Brunswick community environment.    

Term 4 Beeswax Wrap Making workshops

The Sustainability Club and SEC members worked hard to run another Beeswax workshop, allowing for a mix of students from all year levels to participate. It was fantastic to see like-minded students work together to make a powerful impact towards reducing plastic pollution. All students were able to create their own reusable Beeswax wrap and take home a care-guide (see pictures).

The SEC and Sustainability Club Facilitators had levelled up, demonstrating growth and learning from their previous workshops to deliver an improved, professional session.

Well done to everyone who participated and made a commitment to helping their environment.

Term 4 Bottle Top Drop

The Bottle Top Drop Competition had another successful run this term, with thousands of bottle caps collected. This time, it was the Home Group 9R who were victorious!

Congratulations to all students who participated in the initiative. Every bottle top donated has made a powerful impact, not only by being saved from polluting the environment, but also by now being put to good use as a prosthetic limb for someone in need.

Hunt for the Plastic Eaters

Students in 8W had a group of keen scientists on the hunt to help reduce the impact of plastic pollution. Carah Long, Chiara Aldrige, Conor Trumble, Younus Bhatti, Addie Fallon and Charlie Rolfe teamed up to be a part of a National Citizen Science Project in conjunction with the BioQuisitive Lab in Brunswick.

The task was to try an identify species of bacteria which could survive on different types of plastics, using collected samples of rubbish from around the school grounds. The samples were then analysed in the Bioquisitive lab, with the genomes of the bacteria sequenced for identification. This information was then used to gain a better understanding of each found species of bacteria, with the hopes of using them to organically break down plastics in the future.

Through strong scientific thinking and effective sampling, the Brunswick students were one of the 31 Hunting teams from 12 schools Australia wide who found bacteria that live on plastic. The results of the study overall identified 34 bacteria that can live on 3 different types of plastic:

• 24% can live on PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
• 44% can live on PP (Polypropylene)
• 32% can live on PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Our students identified a particular species of bacteria that lives on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic in particular. This bacteria was most closely related to Ralstonia syszgii or Ralstonia pickettii.

It was fantastic to see the students use strong scientific skills to contribute effectively to such an important national scientific endeavour!

CCP -Sustainability Club

This year, we have been astounded by the passion, innovation, critical thinking and environmental leadership demonstrated by all students involved in the Sustainability initiatives running at Brunswick Secondary College.

The Sustainability Club (CCP) will be running in 2020 and always welcomes new members and initiatives.  If you would like to get involved,  come along to the CCP and join a dynamic and motivated team!