Melbourne creation Eco Bin – a colour-coded system that makes sorting waste easy – is encouraging students to change their waste habits and think about sustainability every day.
Environmentalist John Engelander, Founder and CEO of Eco Bin, said he created the system because he wanted to help make a difference to the planet.
“I had noticed that, unlike at home, potentially recyclable waste was making its way to landfill at schools, universities and the workplace. What was missing was a simple yet effective vehicle that encouraged more recycling and less landfill,” he said.
“Now schools and workplaces all over Australia have adopted a way to change their waste habits. The need for simple waste separation became contagious, and the objective of waste not going to landfill became a reality.”
Locally made in Melbourne, the Eco Bin system has been manufactured with an entire low-impact approach, to be as sustainable as possible. The colour-coded bins come flat-packed to ensure they use minimal transport emissions.
“They take 50 per cent less energy to manufacture compared to any other plastic waste system of the same size; 50 per cent less water and 50 per cent less waste in production. Whatever missions are left, are carbon offset,” Mr Engelander said.
“Now, students in every school can help to do their bit and together we can be planet enablers. My purpose is to enable us all, and by doing so we enable our planet,” he said.
How schools can get involved
“Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our mission is to make waste separation easier and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill,” Mr Engelander said.
“When schools use the Eco Bin system, they are making a difference with just a small action. We know change can be scary, but with this system, proper waste separation soon becomes second nature.
“We want to inspire students to make a change. With every person who adopts the Eco Bin system, the amount of waste that ends up in landfill is less and less.”
For more information, visit www.ecobin.com.au, email trashtalk@ecobin.com.au or phone 1300 669 441.
