History and timeline of sustainability at Merici
2010
- The Healthy Canteen project begins, initiated by students with the support of School Executive. The students call for a canteen serving healthy, fresh meals.
- Merici’s own Organic Produce Garden is set up on a defunct basketball court.
2011
- The Trades Training Centre is unveiled as the permanent site for the Healthy Canteen.
- The Sustainability Elective begins as a curricular option for students in Years 9 & 10 (14-16 years).
- Student environmental sustainability team (SAM) forms.
2012
- Merici’s Kitchen Garden project receives state and national recognition at the ACT Sustainable Community Awards and the Australian Sustainable Cities Awards.
2013
- Inaugural year of the Merici Tomato Plant sale, a fundraiser for the Organic Garden that has continued annually.
- Our partnership with local special needs school Black Mountain School expands, involving students with special needs in the food waste management system at Merici.
2014
- Our waste system is overhauled with the introduction of paper and co-mingled recycling on campus. We recycle 24% of our total waste.
2015
- Merici receives accreditation from ACTSmart Schools in the ‘curriculum’ category, reflecting that we incorporate teaching on sustainability across the curriculum.
2016
- SAM named Young Legends runners-up in the ACT Conservation Council Sustainability Awards.
- SAM win Terracycle’s EcoHeroes recycling challenge.
- Swedish composting tumbler is purchased to process food waste manually.
2017
- Merici College named as one of The Educator Magazine’s Innovative Schools for 2017 for our sustainability program.
- SAM celebrate Earth Hour with ACT Environment Minister, Shane Rattenbury.
- Recycling increases to over 50% of waste on campus.
2018
- SAM celebrates the International Year of the Reef.
- Zayed Sustainability Prize committee forms.
- Students in the canteen kitchens
