Council program helps Humpybong kids halve landfill waste

Published 29 July 2025

• School Plus Humpybong has cut its landfill waste by 7200 litres a year through City of Moreton Bay’s School Waste Minimisation Program
• Students are learning to reduce, reuse and compost and are helping to create long-term behavioural change in the community
• More schools are encouraged to join the School Waste Minimisation Program and help reduce waste across the city

A City of Moreton Bay program has helped a local school slash its landfill waste by removing half an oval’s worth of rubbish in just one year.

By sorting, reusing and composting their waste through Council’s School Waste Minimisation Program, School Plus Humpybong cut its rubbish output by 7200 litres each year - or 30 fewer wheelie bins that would otherwise go straight to landfill.

The outside school care provider generated 14,400 litres of waste annually, which was enough to cover an entire school oval in a 1cm thick layer of rubbish.

A waste audit revealed that nearly one in five items being sent to landfill could be recycled or composted instead.

Now, the service uses a three-bin sorting system and engages students in composting, worm farming and reusing materials for craft and education.

Mayor Peter Flannery said City of Moreton Bay was proud to support schools like Humpybong who are leading the way in waste reduction.

“This program is a great example of how small changes can have a big impact,” he said.

“It empowers children to become sustainability champions both at school and at home.

“School Plus Humpybong has turned a mountain of rubbish into a powerful learning opportunity. They’ve also raised funds for environmental causes by collecting eligible drink containers and plastic lids for recycling.

“It goes to show that recycling and composting can be simple, fun and part of everyday life.”

Division 6 Councillor Karl Winchester said it was great to see local students becoming leaders in sustainability.

“The children are learning lifelong habits and making a real difference to their environment,” he said.

To learn more about City of Moreton Bay’s School Waste Minimisation Program, click here.