School Maintenance Services (SMS) manages various construction and maintenance services throughout a number of schools. Bruce, director of SMS, recently installed several Replas Premier benches at Kingswood Primary School. Principal Rosemary Cosentino, says, ‘We always use SMS for all our works. Professional but still personal’.

Each year in Tasmania, the Kingborough Council hosts a poster competition for schools based on an environmental theme. Bruny Island School, who were winners in 2011 and 2012, have a commitment to sustainable practices with their garden, farm, environment and infrastructure. The students agreed that any purchase with the competition prize money should follow this ethos, so they commissioned a special seat from Replas featuring a beautiful butterfly motif and plaques which recognise this special achievement.

Coles’ customers are now able to participate in a world-class recycling program which turns plastic products into recycled furniture for schools and kindergartens. In an Australian-first, Coles has partnered with the RED Group to develop the REDcycle Program, whereby Coles’ shoppers can hand their plastic bags and soft plastic packaging into dedicated bins in-store so they can be recycled into furniture for schools, kindergartens and other community groups.

The program sets new standards for recycling by diverting flexible plastic bags and packaging – such as biscuit packets, lolly bags, frozen food bags and bread, rice and pasta bags – from landfill. After a successful trial in Victoria in late 2011 and 2012, the program will be rolled out in 370 Coles’ city stores across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Coles Store Development and Operations Director Stuart Machin said Coles was delighted to roll out a program that tackled the long-standing challenge of “soft plastics” and had such far-reaching benefits for the environment.

‘In little over 12 months in Melbourne alone, Coles’ customers have ensured 9 million plastic packaging items has been diverted from landfill as part of our trial. So by rolling this program out locally and across the nation, the potential benefits are enormous,’ he said. ‘One of the best aspects of this collaborative program is that it gives twice – firstly by helping reduce landfill and then by developing recycled furniture which can be put to great use in schools and other areas of the community.’

RED Group Director of Development Elizabeth Kasell said the initiative was particularly exciting because it involved consumers, retailers, distributors and manufacturers all working together for a better end of life outcome for materials that were previously going to landfill. ‘Thanks to the efforts of Coles’ customers, we firstly receive the plastic packaging in supermarkets. RED Group then collects and processes the plastic before sending it to Replas to melt the plastic down, pour it into moulds and make the furniture, all right here in Australia’ she said.

To find out where your nearest participating Coles store is or for more information about the REDcycle Program, please visit www.redcycle.net.au.’

40 lucky schools throughout Victoria recently received a special seat created by Replas from the plastic bags they had collected through the Coles ‘Every bag counts’ competition.

Aspendale North Kinder was one of 40 lucky schools throughout Victoria to win a seat in the Coles ‘Every bag counts competition. Students brought their waste plastic to Coles stores for recycling instead of sending it to landfill. Over 30 tonnes of bags and soft plastics was collected during the campaign. The material was reprocessed by Replas and turned into special seats which were presented to the winning schools.

The children at the kinder, along with all of the other participating schools, are making a real difference to the environment. Congratulations Aspendale North!

Details of all winners will soon be available in the News section of our website.

Ainslie Parklands Primary School believes in, ‘providing learning opportunities through which our students can connect with nature, investigate environmental issues and develop a sense of wonder and enthusiasm for our planet’.
Students recently visited the Replas Environmental Centre to explore the world of recycling. They were delighted to find a range of products that were created from plastic waste collected within their own community and are inspired to continue to play their part in a better environment.

Albany Rise Primary School recently visited the Replas Environmental Centre. Students learnt about sustainable solutions and experienced an exciting and educational journey into the world of recycling.

Replas is passionate about recycling. We love working with schools to educate students to play their part toward building a more environmentally-sustainable future. The Replas Environmental Centre demonstrates a variety of innovative solutions and provides an excellent educational opportunity.

Coolum State School on the Sunshine Coast, Qld, has added a Fitness Trail® fabricated by Replas to their sports armoury. This innovative range of hardy equipment is perfectly suited to primary school students and promises to stand up to many years of wear and tear from the roll of 1000 students. Denise French, P&C Manager at the school said, ‘The fitness trail has become an integrated resource within our physical fitness curriculum, and is used constantly during play-time, at morning tea and lunch-times.’ The school also offers the facility to various sports clubs in the Coolum district. Denise says, ‘It's an ideal warm-up and warm-down facility for junior cricketers, runners, rugby league, netball and soccer players. We also have karate schools, tennis coaching and personal trainers on the school grounds who make use of our fitness trail.’ To complete the picture Denise said, ‘We chose an installer who had worked with Replas previously, and added a permanent roof and rubber soft fall to finish off our project.’ ‘We have found the Replas Fitness Trail® product hard-wearing, attractive and good value - what more could we ask for?’ Denise French P&C Manager Coolum State School.

Students at Oakleigh South Primary School, in Victoria, participate in the RED Project—an innovative program where primary schools play a key role in collecting and recycling soft plastic waste usually disposed of in landfill. The plastic is collected by the RED Group and then taken to Replas to be recycled into outdoor furniture and signage for schools. Victorian Education Minister, Martin Dixon, congratulated students at the school and encouraged other schools to sign up to the project. Mr Dixon said, ‘Everyone has a role to play in reducing waste and this innovative, closed loop recycling model encourages industry, consumers, community and our students to think outside the square.’

Exposed tree roots created a safety hazard for the heavy student traffic at St Joseph’s School, Port Lincoln SA, located on the Eyre Peninsula. No one knew what to do with this barren and often muddy area. What they did know was that they wanted to create an area that was hardwearing, safe for students, visually appealing and demonstrated sustainability within the school community.

A tall order? Ross Hay, OHS&W and Administrative Coordinator, St Joseph’s School said Enduroplank™ recycled-plastic decking, ‘ticked all the boxes’. Perfect as an outdoor learning area, a place to relax during lunchtime or for catching up with parents at school closure, this new floating deck is popular with teachers, students and parents alike.

‘The area now is safe, clean, and functional.’ Ross Hay, OHS&W and Administrative Coordinator, St Joseph’s School