What is the Waste Reduction Action Program? 

Watch a video about recent programs in schools 2024 EnvironmentalEducationEPA_230721_30mbps_Master.mp4 - Google Drive 

Curriculum links

Exploring the concept of waste, which includes a waste audit, contributes to several key learning areas in the NSW Curriculum K–10. The table below lists examples of how a waste audit could contribute to student learning outcomes in Years 3 to 10.

For more inspiration and learning activities, read about sustainability as a cross-curriculum priority on the NSW Department of Education’s website or download the RSS curriculum guides.

Stage 2 

HSIE – Geography, The Earth’s environment

acquires and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry GE2-4 

describes the ways people, places and environments interact GE2-2

Mathematics Data A and B

develops understanding and fluency in mathematics through exploring and connecting mathematical concepts, choosing and applying mathematical techniques to solve problems, and communicating their thinking and reasoning coherently and clearly MAO-WM-01

collects discreet data and constructs graphs using a given scale MA2-DATA-01

interprets data in tables, dot plots and column graphs MA2-DATA-02

Science and technology, Material world

selects and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity ST2-2DP-T

English, Creating written texts

 plans, creates and revises written texts for persuasive purposes, using text features, sentence-level grammar, punctuation and word-level language for a target audience EN2-CWT-033

PDHPE, Healthy, safe and active lifestyles

describes strategies to make home and school healthy, safe and physically active spaces PD2-7

STAGE 3

HSIE – Geography, Factors that shape places

acquires, processes and communicates geographical information using geographical tools for inquiry GE3-4

explains interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE3-2

Mathematics Data A and B

develops understanding and fluency in mathematics through exploring and connecting mathematical concepts, choosing and applying mathematical techniques to solve problems, and communicating their thinking and reasoning coherently and clearly MAO-WM-01

constructs graphs using many-to-one scales MA3-DATA-01

interprets data displays, including timelines and line graphs MA3-DATA-02

Science, Material world

plans and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity ST3-2DP-T

explains how the properties of materials determine their use for a range of purposes ST3-7MW-T

English, Creating written texts

plans, creates and revises written texts for multiple purposes and audiences through selection of text features, sentence-level grammar, punctuation and word-level language EN3-CWT-01

PDHPE, Healthy, safe and active lifestyles

proposes and implements actions and protective strategies that promote health, safety, wellbeing and physically active spaces PD3-7

STAGE 4

Geography, Interconnections

acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using geographical tools for inquiry GE4-7 

communicates geographical information using a variety of strategies GE4-8 

explains how interactions and connections between people, places and environments result in change GE4-3 

discusses management of places and environments for their sustainability GE4-5

Science, Earth and space

follows a sequence of instructions to safely undertake a range of investigation types, collaboratively and individually SC4-6WS

processes and analyses data from a first-hand investigation and secondary sources to identify trends, patterns and relationships, and draw conclusions SC4-7WS

selects and uses appropriate strategies, understanding and skills to produce creative and plausible solutions to identified problems SC4-8WS

explains how advances in scientific understanding of processes that occur within and on the Earth, influence the choices people make about resource use and management SC4-13ES

Mathematics, Data classification and visualisation, data analysis

develops understanding and fluency in mathematics through exploring and connecting mathematical concepts, choosing and applying mathematical techniques to solve problems, and communicating their thinking and reasoning coherently and clearly MAO-WM-01

classifies and displays data using a variety of graphical representations MA4-DAT-C-01

analyses simple datasets using measures of centre, range and shape of the data MA4-DAT-C-02

Technology mandatory, Engineered systems

designs, communicates and evaluates innovative ideas and creative solutions to authentic problems or opportunities TE4-1DP 

plans and manages the production of designed solutions TE4-2DP 

English, Expressing ideas and composing texts A

creates personal, creative and critical texts for a range of audiences by using linguistic and stylistic conventions of language to express ideas EN4-ECA-01

HSIE, Geography, Environmental change and management

acquires and processes geographical information by selecting and using appropriate and relevant geographical tools for inquiry GE5-7

communicates geographical information to a range of audiences using a variety of strategies GE5-8

analyses the effect of interactions and connections between people, places and environments GE5-3

assesses management strategies for places and environments for their sustainability GE5-5

Mathematics, Data analysis A

develops understanding and fluency in mathematics through exploring and connecting mathematical concepts, choosing and applying mathematical techniques to solve problems, and communicating their thinking and reasoning coherently and clearly MAO-WM-01

compares and analyses datasets using summary statistics and graphical representations MA5-DAT-C-01

English, Expressing ideas and composing texts A 

crafts personal, creative and critical texts for a range of audiences by experimenting with and controlling language forms and features to shape meaning EN5-ECA-01