The Lunchbox Revolution: Cultivating Aussie Changemakers to Slash Food Waste
Written by enrich360
Every day in Australian schools, overflowing bins hold the remnants of uneaten lunches and food scraps. This wasted food represents not just a financial burden, but a missed opportunity to equip our future generation with the knowledge and values to create a more sustainable future. At enrich360, we’re implementing tools like the Eco 5, to support the education and growth of our next generation of eco-warriors.
At Enrich360, we recognise the importance of creating innovative and cost effective solutions in order to tackle the food waste challenge. Furthermore, we’re determined to be thought-leaders in the food waste space, raising awareness and implementing education programs to make the move to a circular economy as simple as possible. As a result, we’re proud to introduce The enrich360 Eco Schools Program, aimed at empowering the next generation about sustainable food waste disposal through the use of dehydration technology.
The Importance of Tackling Food Waste
Food waste jeopardises sustainability and food security, with one-third of all food produced lost or wasted annually. This squanders resources and worsens environmental degradation, particularly in Australia where it costs $36 billion annually and contributes 3% of greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing waste reduction strategies and sustainable disposal methods can significantly mitigate our impact and protect the environment.
The enrich360 Eco Schools Program
The enrich360 Eco Schools Program offers a holistic approach to fostering a culture of sustainability. By integrating practical lessons on food waste management into existing academic curriculums, we aim to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious citizens equipped with the knowledge and tools to combat food waste effectively.
At the heart of our Eco Schools Program lies our state-of-the-art food waste dehydration machine, the Eco5. This innovative device utilises advanced technology to reduce food waste by up to 90%, transforming it into nutrient-rich soil-amendment. The Eco5 is a quiet and compact benchtop unit with a 5 litre capacity. The unit’s seal and filters prevent odours and moisture, while the high heats reached internally ensure that the byproduct is sterile, pathogen-free, dry and therefore safe to handle - making it ideally suited to a classroom environment.
Central to our initiative is the belief that every individual, regardless of age, has the power to effect positive change. Through hands-on experience with the Eco5, students not only learn about the importance of food waste prevention and supply chain management, but also actively participate in the process of creating a circular economy.
With the soil amendment created by the Eco5, students will have the opportunity to study its effects on their school’s gardens. This hands-on learning will allow the students to develop a deeper understanding for the interconnectedness of environmental elements on plant growth and food production. When engaging in the process of nurturing plants with fertiliser derived from their own lunchbox food scraps this instils a sense of responsibility, encouraging a lasting commitment to sustainable practices. By witnessing firsthand, the transformation of waste into a valuable resource for growth, children not only contribute to the greening of their school environment, but also become active participants in the journey towards a more sustainable future.
The enrich360 Eco Schools Program in Action
Just over six months ago, the students at Camberwell Grammar School joined the movement towards a cleaner and greener planet by starting the enrich360 Eco Schools program. The introduction of the Eco5 into their classroom has allowed students to delve into the crucial topics of food waste and its environmental repercussions.
Through hands-on experience with the Eco5, the Green Ninjas at Camberwell are not only learning about the science of food waste dehydration but also gaining insights into emissions in landfills and the significance of soil health. As a result, they are actively participating in the circular food economy by using the fertiliser produced from the dehydration process in their vegetable patches and worm farm.
Similarly, Athol Rd Primary are using their Eco 5 fertiliser in their native green space, and Tintern Grammar are using their Eco 5s to process classroom food waste and use their fertiliser as part of their school farming program. Similarly, Chandler Park Primary School and Redlands School are using their Eco 5 to collect and process lunchbox food scraps and using the fertiliser in their grounds green spaces.
Enrich360’s Eco Schools Program represents a pivotal step towards realising our collective vision of a more sustainable world. By investing in the education and empowerment of future generations, we can turn the tide against food waste and pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
Ready for your school to join the fight against food waste? Go to:
🌐https://e9b1d9-2.myshopify.com/pages/eco-5-for-schools/eco-5-for-schools-xegw4y26
Or contact us today!
Enrich360 are a Melbourne Classroom of the Future Workshop Sponsor, and Jaclyn Lees, CEO is speaking on Transforming Tomorrow: Eliminating food waste through education and innovative technology
