An innovative new program launched at Lalor North Primary School on 28 July 2023, and is a true circular economy project with social, environmental, and educational impact.
Good360 Australia, a charity focused on giving new unsold products a first life to benefit people in need and the environment, is broadening its scope to include quality repurposed materials and is pleased to welcome Repurpose It to the Circle of Good program.
This award-winning, Epping based business exists to make premium quality, repurposed materials accessible to everyone. Its mission is to eliminate waste and pollution through closed loop resource recovery and believes that closed loop waste systems are essential if we are to preserve our resources for the next generations.
Good360 receives donations of unsold products from over 50 major Australian retailers, such as Big W and Best & Less.
Lalor North Primary School is the first recipient of Good360 Australia’s donation program where repurposed soil and mulch will contribute to the development of a kitchen garden.
Founder & CEO of Repurpose It, George Hatzimanolis, says “This partnership is all about making a real and lasting impact, and we’re beyond excited to join forces with Good360 to create positive change for the students and the community as a whole. The collaboration is a perfect match, combining our passion for sustainability with Good360’s commitment to helping local communities and will leverage the educational experience at Lalor North Primary School by providing essential resources while being mindful of the environment. By repurposing materials and giving goods a new purpose, we’re paving the way for a greener future for the school, inspiring the next generation to embrace the idea of a circular economy.”
Good360 Founder and Managing Director, Alison Covington AM, said the partnership will ensure disadvantaged schools benefit from landscaping materials. “We look forward to seeing the garden grow and create a learning opportunity that includes the circular economy and the environment which is good for people and our planet,” Ms Covington said.
Elizabeth Bryan, Principal Lalor North Primary School says the students will learn about sustainability, food production and nutrition. “At Lalor North Primary School, we value the importance of creating opportunities for students to learn about sustainability. This project will have a strong curriculum integration with a focus on student wellbeing, collaboration and leadership, students will learn to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal, delicious food – forming positive food habits for life.”
“Our school community has two Bilingual Curriculum Programs (Greek & Macedonian) where we have previous generations who have children and grandchildren that attended the school and who are really keen to support our garden project.”
“Stratco has also come to the party by donating twelve garden beds. I am so very proud to be partnering with organisations such as; Good360, North East Link Tunnels and Repurpose It for this very special educational project for Lalor North Primary School.”
The North East Link Tunnels program is contributing to the program by volunteering 12 staff to establish the garden beds at Lalor North Primary School using landscaping materials from
Repurpose It. North East Link is the biggest ever investment in Melbourne’s north-east, changing the way people move around Melbourne.
Spark North East Link Sustainability Director, Rachael Lee, said sustainability and the ability to leave a positive legacy for present and future generations is a key priority for the North East Link Tunnels program.
“We’re pleased to be working with Repurpose It to ensure we maximise long-term benefits for the environment and our local communities and schools through this initiative.”