Helping schools reduce waste to landfill

Method are proud to be named Education Australia's preferred supplier for 2025.

Originally posted on Education Australia here.

Waste management is more than just an operational task for schools—it's an opportunity to lead by example and help future generations to understand the impact of their decisions. As Australia works towards an 80% recovery rate by 2030, schools and their students are a key part.

We know schools have a vested interest in fostering a sense of responsibility and citizenship among their students. Waste is a visible way to demonstrate the environmental impact of decision-making to students. Student-led sustainability initiatives or waste reduction challenges, are an effective way to teach leadership, teamwork, and civic responsibility.

In addition, a well-designed recycling system can save you in the long run - on average, a 50% reduction in landfill can reduce costs by 20%.

At Method, we believe in building waste systems that change behaviours. Our bins and signage are designed to be user-friendly, durable, and visually engaging—perfect for diverse school environments. The combination of visibility, standardisation, and education makes our products ideal for schools looking to boost their sustainability efforts.Method is committed to helping schools reduce waste, engage students, and create an environment where recycling becomes second nature.

Method has worked with schools across Australia and New Zealand to set up recycling systems, from kindergartens to universities, including the University of New South Wales, St Joseph's College (Victoria), Immanuel College (Adelaide), and Brisbane Grammar School. Method has been working with Otago University since 2019, having already halved their waste, introducing Method bins and recyclers reduced waste by a further 35 per cent being diverted from landfill.

Top tips for schools to reduce waste

1. Control commercial packaging – eliminate packaging that can’t be recycled or composted entering the campus through vendors. Set standards for food packaging in canteens and cafeterias and include it in their contracts.

2. Have clear signage – ensure it reflects the packaging your food provider uses.

3. Have an organic waste collection – food waste and compostable packaging can generate up to 40% of a school's waste. In landfills, organic materials produce methane, a gas with a global warming potential at least 28 times that of carbon dioxide.

4. Get students involved – eco-anxiety among younger generations is growing. Real-life experience in making sustainable decisions can help them see the power of small decisions.