Presented by Andrew Byrne former Business Manager, Woodridge State High School - School Business Managers Conference of Queensland — Update as at July 2026
I'm not the Business Manager at Woodridge anymore. I left in 2025. The system I helped build is still running without me. That's why I'm here.
When I arrived at Woodridge, waste management was what it is at most schools — a cost you managed and a problem you lived with. Climate Action Schools changed that. Not by adding more to our plate, but by giving us a system that made what we were already doing work properly.
Here's what that looked like in practice:
65% reduction in waste removal costs — approximately $27,000 back in the school budget annually.
$400 a month flowing to our P&C and Scouts partner through Containers for Change — cans and bottles that used to go to landfill, now generating a regular income stream.
Grant funding secured — the data the system generates made our applications credible and specific. The numbers did the work.
Staff who knew their role — our cleaning and operational team had clear procedures, real recognition, and a framework that made their contribution visible. That matters more than most people realise.
Safety and compliance embedded — Take 5 practices, environmental compliance, organised processes. Not bolted on. Built in.
I left Woodridge in October 2025. A new business manager stepped in. The staff kept running the system. That's not an accident. It's the point. Climate Action Schools doesn't build something that depends on one person's passion or one person's memory. It builds something that belongs to the school.
I'm standing here today because I think every business manager in Queensland should know this exists — and because I wanted you to hear it from someone who has no reason to tell you other than that it worked.
A Business Manager’s Presentation (as at July 2025)
As the Business Manager at Woodridge State High School, I am always on the lookout to save operational cost for the school and to help facilitate student learning in a practical, real world experience. I want to share our positive experience with a program called Climate Action Schools.
Like many schools, managing waste effectively and controlling associated costs has always been a challenge. We recently implemented the Climate Action Schools program, which provides a practical, system-based approach to resource recovery right here at school.
From a Business Manager's perspective, the results have been significant and measurable:
Major Cost Savings: We've achieved a 65% reduction in our student waste removal costs, translating to approximately $27,000 in annual savings for our school budget.
Revenue Generation: By diverting recyclables like cans and bottles, we've joined the circular economy and are now generating a regular income stream (our P&C and Scouts partner are sharing the funds from Containers for Change). $400/month
Operational Efficiency: The program helps us implement more organized and efficient waste management processes, based on industry-proven methodologies (functional sustainability/LEAN).
Staff Empowerment: It provides a framework for our cleaning and operational staff to work with clear procedures, enhancing teamwork and recognizing their vital role in sustainability.
Grant Opportunities: The data we collect through the program has helped us successfully apply for grants to support our sustainability infrastructure.
Compliance & Safety: The program embeds essential safety practices (like Take 5) and helps ensure environmental compliance in waste handling.
Beyond these direct operational and financial benefits, the program also offers a unique opportunity to connect your school with industry partners and provide students with valuable pathways to future careers. Industry is increasingly seeking young people with practical sustainability skills and an understanding of operational excellence (LEAN), and this program helps bridge that gap.
Climate Action Schools provides the framework and support, whether you prefer a guided implementation or a DIY approach with their resources. It's a practical system that delivers tangible financial and operational benefits while also aligning with the school's broader environmental goals and providing unique learning opportunities for students, including direct links to industry.
If you're looking for a proven way to significantly reduce waste costs, improve operational efficiency, gain access to grant funding, and create valuable industry connections for your students, I highly recommend exploring the Climate Action Schools program. For more information, see the attached.
Feel free to contact Jules McMurtrie at Climate Action Schools jules@climateactionschools.com or 0419709160 to learn more about how it could benefit your school.
