Newington College has continued our commitment to sustainability by installing solar panels, efficient building management systems, grey water reuse and creating a rooftop kitchen garden. This week, in an exciting new initiative, a student-led pilot recycling program to compost organic food and garden organics (FOGO) rolled out. 

When Year 11 student Sunny Z started at Newington in 2024 he saw an opportunity to put his commitment to the environment and waste management to work. 

Sunny joined the Newington Sustainability Committee, a dedicated group of approximately 60 students from Year 7 to Year 12, which meets weekly. Here, students discuss practical measures to help Newington become cleaner and greener, in their ongoing commitment to the environment and efforts to help reduce the harmful effects of climate change. 

Says Sunny; ‘I was pleased to learn that FOGO bins were something the committee, led  by Year 12 student and Sustainability Captain, Rushabh G, were actively investigating and I was happy to share the experiences my previous school had in introducing this means of composting towards a more circular school economy.’  

As Year 12 student and Sustainability Captain, Rushabh G has been actively involved in the implementation of sustainability initiatives at the school, demonstrating environmental leadership with a clear commitment to creating a lasting impact within the school. Motivated by a genuine concern for the waste management at the school, with the help of the Sustainability Coordinator, Ms Marnie Foster, who is also Newington’s Head of Languages, Rushabh, Sunny and a dedicated Sustainability Committee team collaborated to formulate a FOGO Implementation Plan which includes this week’s rollout. This will be followed by a campaign of College education and awareness and ongoing monitoring of the program’s success. 

The team adopted the catchphrase – Know before you throw – so students understand the importance of putting FOGO waste in the green bin for compost and not cross contaminating with landfill rubbish or plastics.  

Says Rushabh, ‘our main objectives with the FOGO bins are to improve waste sorting to ensure all leftover food and recyclable packaging is now being composted and reused in our school grounds. 

‘In devising the Implementation plan, we wanted to inspire positive change across the school and give students the information and agency to take meaningful action and to understand that even something as simple as separating leftover food from its plastic wrapping, can help make a difference. Also, we wanted to help the FOGO initiatives being embraced on a wider community level.’ 

The FOGO Sustainability sub-committee worked closely with Newington’s Director of Community & COO, Mr Ross Xenos and Grounds Supervisor, Mr Ben Lavender, as well as the College Comms team to position the new FOGO bins, now strategically positioned around the Senior school campus alongside our yellow and red bins. Clearly painted and with logos, the new green FOGO bins are for all food and garden organics.  Yellow bins are for all other recyclables such glass and plastic containers. Red bins are for plastic wrappings, general waste, polystyrene foam, face wipes and all other non-recyclables. 

Launching the FOGO/Know Before You Throw pilot at assembly this week, Rushabh said this is a fantastic opportunity for each Newington student to make a contribution to reducing the College’s carbon footprint. 

‘By embracing this initiative, we estimate we can reduce our school’s carbon emissions by 144 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. That’s the equivalent of taking 31 cars off the road. By making a small change in your daily routine we can work together to create a more sustainable future for us all.’ 

Mr Xenos said the Sustainability Committee has worked hard to make this pilot program a reality and is to be congratulated. 

‘This is a great example of our students championing an issue of importance to our environment and being brave enough to lead change among their peers. We know there is always more we can do as a community and a College to improve our sustainable practices. This is an important step forward for our Senior Campus and we will now plan our roll out across our other campuses, too.’ 

The Newington Sustainability Committee also works actively within our local community. On Clean Up Australia Day, its members along with other Year 7 to 12 Newington students, 90 in total, collected 15 bags of rubbish and 15 bags of recycling around the streets of Stanmore, Petersham and Marrickville. The Sustainability Committee is also currently involved with the creation and planting of a community verge garden located at the end of 1 Middleton Street, Stanmore with support from the nearby Addison Road Community Centre.  

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To read more on Newington’s commitment to a varied range of co-curricular committees and clubs click here: https://www.newington.nsw.edu.au/blog/2025/02/13/chess-champions-student-connection-and-best-openings-moves/. 

To learn about the emphasis we place on community involvement and service learning, visit: https://www.newington.nsw.edu.au/pastoral/service-learning/.