2020 Winners

 

Councillors’ WasteSMART Choice Award

WINNER: Kingfisher Recycling Centre

Kingfisher Recycling Centre is a place for students to learn valuable skills while helping the environment. They have branched out into the community to become a place for volunteers and waste minimisation enthusiasts, and have recently because one of Council’s Community Composting Hubs.

Finalists:

  • Sonya Kerslake
  • Taringa Community Garden

 

Brisbane’s WasteSMART Champions Award

WINNER (6-17 years): Ethan Heng

Ethan has hosted 3 community clean up days with his mum that focus on educating other young participants about the environment. He collected 739 pieces of rubbish on his school break and shared this experience in his school newsletter.

WINNER (18+ years): Renae McBrien

Renae delivers vast waste reform and education across health care services in Brisbane, by introducing recycling streams that divert hospital waste to be reused and repurposed. She has delivered education on waste to over 1,000 people in the past year and has an engaged social media community. She was also responsible for setting up the Tarragindi Community Garden.

Finalists:

  • Christine Rafter
  • Manny Findlay

 

WasteSMART Community Award

WINNER #1: OzHarvest Brisbane

OzHarvest rescues surplus food that would otherwise goes to waste from commercial businesses and delivers that food at no cost to charities feeding vulnerable Australians. During COVID-19, they developed #HospoHeroes to provide over 7,000 healthy meals for families, international students and other vulnerable groups with the help of restaurants, kitchens and caterers.

WINNER #2: eWaste Connection

eWaste Connection operates an electrical waste recycling centre. As a community resource they offer valuable work experience for individuals with a disability or disadvantaged background, and volunteering opportunities for people in Brisbane’s western suburbs. They operate 6 days per week offering meaningful activities for over 70 persons with a disability. They also offer the community a convenient drop off location for unwanted e-waste.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Repair Cafe Sandgate

Repair Cafe Sandgate provide a free meeting place where people can repair household items together with skilled volunteers. They have diverted almost 82kg from landfill and fixed 76% of the items brought in by visitors.

Finalists:

  • Ocean Crusaders Foundation
  • Northey Street City Farm
  • ReThink Store
  • Substation33

 

WasteSMART Business Award

WINNER (<5O Employees): Northshore Street Food and Art Markets

Northshore Street Food and Art Markets as owners of Eat Street Northshore have significantly reduced their general waste over the past 18 months, with their weekly landfill contribution reduced by 2/3, saving 76.34m2 from landfill each week.

WINNER (50+ Employees): Howard Smith Wharves

Howard Smith Wharves have achieved a landfill diversion rate of 81.85% with an aspiration goal to become zero-waste. They have initiated a take-back program where delivered goods are transferred to reusable tubs before being given back to suppliers. They implement recycle and resource activities that provide a social and environmental benefit.

Finalists:

  • Loop Growers
  • RECAN Create
  • Biome
  • Officeworks Adelaide Street

 

WasteSMART Schools Award

Winner (Primary School): Yeronga State School Green Team

Year 5 and 6 students in the Green Team meet weekly in four separate task forces to brainstorm, plan, and establish initiatives to help make their school more sustainable. The task force tackle Nude Food, Composting, Recycling and Litter.

Winner (Secondary School): Hillbrook Anglican School

Hillbrook has a goal to be zero waste and sort their bins into soft plastics, compostable, recyclables and landfill. They divert 1000L of waste each week. Their tuckshop has transitioned to compostable package and their waste management strategies complement other initiatives around the school such as teaching Circular Economy units with project-based learning, energy reduction campaigns and land for wildlife work.

Highly Commended #1: Lota State School

Students are committed to reduce waste through weekly wrapper free lunch days, emu parades, annual toy and book swaps and educational programs about the effects of litter. They have started a bottle top collection to be recycled into buoys through Ocean Crusaders, are part of the Containers for Change program, collect plastics for Redcycle, and compost their food scraps.

Highly Commended #2: Calamvale Community College

Calamvale Community College run a joint community and school initiative to maximise environmental education, student outcomes and waste reduction. They recycle approximately 10,000 containers per month with over $10,000 raised.  

Finalists:

  • Graceville State School Green Team
  • Mount Alvernia College

 

WasteSMART Kindy Award

WINNER: Geebung Community Kindy

As part of an ongoing collaboration with EcoBiz, this centre has implemented water saving techniques such as half flush cisterns and rainwater tanks. They reuse water from play, recycle materials, compost as well as have a worm farm. Their parent committee have been making connections with their community as well as using social media and highlighting their sustainability practices to encourage new enrolments.

Finalists:

  • Prior Street Child Care and Development
  • 3-5 Space, Goodstart Early Learning

 

People’s Choice WasteSMART Award

The public was invited to vote for the one winner in this category. This category comprises of finalists shortlisted by the judges across all categories.

WINNER: Manny Findlay

Manny has become a local legend in his local community by actively cleaning his local parks and advocating to keep his suburb clean through recycling and litter prevention. He does community announcements with his local Councillor, offers a wheelie bin cleaning service, and has been featured on Channel 7 News.