Sustainability at FPS

FPS Environmental Sustainability Working Group Update

There is a lot to celebrate in the green space at Fairfield PS. In addition to the announcement of our solar array project, the School Council recently endorsed a Green Purchasing Policy (GPP) for the school. The GPP is the culmination of work from a great team of people involved in the FPS Environmental Sustainability Working Group.

The GPP aims to provide a purchasing structure that will increase environmentally and socially responsible resource use and minimise FPS’s ne0067ative impact on the environment and human health. The framework encourages the acquisition of environmentally friendly consumables and products that are locally produced, recycled and/or biodegradable wherever possible. We have already applied the policy to some ‘low hanging fruit’ including cleaning products and paper (both toilet and office), as well as using it to guide our review of school uniform suppliers.

In researching and identifying products to review, the Environmental Sustainability Working Group (ESWG) identified that there were a variety of strategies adopted by teachers at different year levels to acquire stationery for their classes. We have been discussing with the school ways that we can reduce our waste and resources by reusing stationery, such as rulers and scissors, at the start of a new school year. School Council unanimously supported the reuse of resources each year, wherever possible.

As a result, the FPS School Council would like to not only welcome back returning families, but also welcome back all the rulers, grey lead pencils and erasers that have not yet reached the end of their useful life!

If you would like more information about the Green Purchasing Policy, it can be viewed on the FPS website. If you are interested in contributing to sustainability planning at FPS, please contact us – we always welcome new members to the ESWG.

Apologies for all the acronyms.

~ Andrew Vance – FPS School Council vice-president, ESWG and B&G Committee member, parent of Flynn (4C) and Rosie (2C)… and Mae, who has recently moved on from FPS!