About the Programme
The Eco Early Childhood Education (ECE) Project brings trained facilitators to your early childhood education setting. Your ECE facilitator is equipped with the knowledge to help you reduce or divert your waste from landfill. This is done by working through a ten step plan (see below) over the course of six months.
The goal is to embed the concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection) to establish the Kiwi values of environmental stewardship at an early age.
The project is administered through a charitable environmental trust — Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste. The programme is free in the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area due to funding with plans to expand the program into other areas.
How the Programme Works
Initial Assessment
A short site visit by a facilitator to explain the programme and discuss your sustainable goals.
First Waste Audit
An audit is carried out either on or off site. This will assess all the waste and recycling from a typical day. Your facilitator will then share mat time with your tamariki, exploring the finds and ideas around keeping waste out of landfill.
Staff Workshops
This workshop is designed to help your team better understand why we are trying to reduce waste. This can be essential in the process of getting everyone on board. We will also discuss the waste audit results and as a team we can decide what food scrap diversion we will put in place and any other diversions or reductions we can take. This workshop can be put towards your Professional Development and you will receive a participation certificate afterwards.
Organic Diversion
Your facilitator will work with you and your team to choose the best option(s) to divert organic (food) waste as well as setting up the system. It may be a worm farm, bokashi or composting. Funding can go towards this. Ongoing help is available if required.
Recycling
Following on from the results of the audit your facilitator can recommend ways in which you can Reduce Reuse and Recycle!
Family Workshops
Our programme has designed an all in one workshop for families to cover basic waste streams. This includes simple solutions and swaps for within the household which is an opportunity for your team as well as your families to connect and learn together.
Diversions
Once diversions are well established for your food scraps and recycling we can then look at diversions for other possible waste streams.
Second Waste Audit
How successful have the changes been? A second waste audit will find areas that may still need some actions.
Rounding up
Although your facilitator will be sad to say goodbye we’re only a phone call away if questions arise.
Contact us to enrol your Centre in this free programme
Currently this is only available to centres in the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area (Auckland)