Art is particularly powerful when it is used for a purpose. Zest Events was retained by Dubbo Council to educate local school students about sustainability through a waste education program. The result was passionate and engaged students along with the most glamorous bins you’ve ever seen!
Students’ artwork reproduced on waste transfer bins
Andi Mether, Zest’s MD and ARTchitect, created the waste education program brief and managed the project on behalf of Dubbo Council. Zest facilitated several workshops at Stuart Town and Geurie Public Schools during which students made their own beautiful art pieces. These were incorporated into a larger artwork, created by Zest artist Zac Craig, which was printed on vinyl and placed on large waste transfer bins.
Students identified their own waste management messages
As part of the waste management program workshop, students identified a central theme to promote their message to the community.
“The message the Geurie Public School came up with for their bin was ‘reduce packaging for a healthier world’, which hits the nail on the head when it comes to becoming more conscious of what goes in the bin,” said Dubbo Council Manager of Resource Recovery and Efficiency, Mark Giebel.
Meanwhile, students at Stuart Town focussed on the importance of composting to prevent food and garden waste ending up in landfill, with their message: ‘composting gives us healthy gardens and happy spirits.’
Feedback from the schools was excellent:
“It was a very positive and engaging experience for all students at Geurie Public School and we thank you for organising this.”
“Stuart Town students were genuinely engaged throughout the delivery of the workshop. It was age appropriate and the content was presented in an interesting, fun manner.”
But waste… there’s more!
We were very pleased to be invited back to Dubbo in 2021 to extend this program in 2 additional small schools in the region. Working with students from the Ballimore and Eumungerie Public Schools we produced 2 new mobile murals that will drive around the region spreading the word about recycling and sustainability in schools.
“It was so rewarding to see how excited the kids, teachers and parents were as the trucks rolled in with this massive mobile mural on-board” said Zest Project Manager, Danielle Littlewood.
“We love to be able to use the power of art to engage the next generation of leaders in one of the biggest challenges our world faces – the war on waste”.
Art is so powerful
Andi reflects on the benefits of running waste education programs for schools through the medium of art. “As well as the educational benefits, the students actively participate and engage in promoting waste management. Art is so powerful, and when it is used for a worthwhile purpose, it’s even more rewarding. That’s our speciality at Zest Events; whether it’s for education or attracting visitors and tourists – art works!”
The Mayor of the Dubbo Region, Ben Shields, sums up the success of the waste education program nicely. “When the kids visit the new waste facilities with their parents, they will have a sense of pride and ownership, after being involved in bringing these fantastic bins to life. Let’s be honest, bins aren’t usually considered glamorous, but with these new designs on them, they will have a new reputation.”
The transfer bins will be seen on the road as they are transported to the Whylandra Waste facility for emptying. They will be a travelling billboard, sending a positive sustainability message to anyone who sees the truck on the road.
Please feel free to send this article to your school or local council. Zest Events would love to help your community with a waste education program using the power of art.
Contact us to find out more.