Sustainability at PBC
At Palm Beach Currumbin State High, sustainability is embedded in our culture. We are committed to reducing waste, promoting environmental responsibility, and creating a greener future for our students and community. Our ongoing programs and student-led initiatives support waste reduction, recycling and community partnerships that have real environmental impact.
Containers for Change
PBC has proudly participated in the Containers for Change program for many years. This initiative encourages the recycling of eligible 10c beverage containers, turning waste into valuable resources for our school. Students and staff are encouraged to bring in containers such as water bottles, soft drink cans, and juice boxes, which are then collected and redeemed for funds.
Our Video - Containers For Change
In 2024, PBC took part in Express Recycling’s Battle of the Schools, competing to collect the highest number of containers across two categories:
Total number of containers collected, including community donations made through dockets at the Currumbin depot
Containers collected per student enrolled
Thanks to the efforts of our students, staff and local community, PBC won both $500 prizes, collecting around 43,000 containers at school and reaching 90,575 containers in total. These funds ($1,000 in prize money and $4,300 from container redemptions) are being reinvested into sustainability projects around the school.
In recognition of our ongoing success, PBC was also awarded Containers for Change QLD School of the Year (Secondary) at the 2024 Change Maker Awards in Brisbane. Since the scheme began in 2018, we have redeemed more than 225,000 containers, raising over $22,000 to support our environmental programs. Already in 2024, we have recycled over 71,000 containers, generating $7,100 for the school.
Composting and Food Waste
Since 2020, PBC has significantly reduced its organic waste through an on-site composting program. Food scraps from the school tuckshop and designated collection points are diverted from landfill and composted to create nutrient-rich soil.
To date, we have composted more than 29,000 kilograms of food waste, resulting in 8,000 kilograms of compost. This compost is donated to the Southern Beaches Community Garden, where it is used to support local food-growing initiatives. Not only does this program reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it also helps students understand the value of resource recovery and the importance of sustainable food systems.
This initiative is run with student leadership and continues to grow each year, with more students and staff getting involved in composting and reducing their lunch waste.
E-Waste Recycling
Another key area of focus at PBC is the responsible disposal of electronic waste. Each year, we run E-waste recycling competitions, where students are invited to bring in small electronic items for recycling.
Eligible items include:
Mobile phones, tablets, and laptops
Keyboards, computer mice, and accessories
Stereos, CD/DVD players
Electric toothbrushes and beard trimmers
Broken appliances such as blenders, toasters, vacuums and power tools
Cords, chargers and cables
These items are collected by Substation33, a social enterprise in Kingston that repurposes e-waste into innovative products. Their projects include creating Bluetooth speakers, electric bikes, and battery banks that provide power to homes in energy-poor regions like Indonesia.
Through this program, students not only help keep e-waste out of landfill, but also contribute to positive social and environmental impact on a global scale.
Looking Ahead
Our sustainability programs continue to evolve and grow thanks to the commitment of our students, staff and wider community. Whether it’s through recycling containers, composting food waste or repurposing e-waste, PBC is proud to be leading by example and supporting students to make environmentally responsible choices that have a lasting impact.