Resource Management

What are the benefits of sustainable resource management in Catholic Schools?

Schools are major users of resources. Not only is resource management a great approach for learning and teaching but it is also an important method for reducing school operating costs. In fact, the ability for us to manage resources effectively and consciously is the biggest key action in securing a sustainable future.

Data

In order to capture a snapshot of your school’s resource use and usage patterns as well as a method to monitor progress, develop systems and motivate continued improvement, the collection and interpretation of data is unquestionably valuable:

Baseline data collection is imperative, followed by the establishment of monitoring systems, eg: School Environmental Tracking System (SETS).

Data to be collected and monitored across areas of waste, energy, water management and school grounds development

Reduction targets should be set, eg: through ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic. Schools should recognise value in targeting significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions as the target.

Work through the ecological footprint to measure your school and school community’s impact.

Undertake a Biodiversity, Energy, Water, Waste Curriculum Audit

Systems and procedures

The establishment of systems and procedures is fundamental to the delivery of sustainability programs for lasting behaviour change and genuine sustainability outcomes. Approaches should include:

Whole of school approach to be taken with planning & action

Key behaviour and management change approaches include:

Waste management systems, reduction of materials to landfill and green procurement including contexts of finite nature of resources and reduction of unnecessary waste

Energy management systems including shut down/switch off procedures, carbon management, infrastructure/technology, reduction of unnecessary waste

Water management systems including rain water harvesting, storm water quality, flow restrictors and eradication of leaks

School grounds enhancement including school grounds planning, protection of remnant vegetation, learnscaping and habitat creation.

Key policy and management considerations:

Purchasing/procurement policy is an important element of the reduction approach

Whole of School - School Environmental Management Plans (SEMP) are fundamental to the success of sustainability and resource management in schools

Task Force committees (including management, teachers, students and parents) must be established in order to ensure ongoing action

Money saved in efficiency measures to be reinvested into further sustainability actions

Communications planning