From Landfill to Learning Lab: How Woodridge State High School Joined the Circular Economy

There's a principle in LEAN thinking that separates the organisations that transform from the ones that tinker: start with the end in mind.

Not the end of the project. The end of the waste. The end of the skills gap. The end of young people leaving school with no connection to the industries that need them most.

That's exactly where Climate Action Schools started when we partnered with Woodridge State High School.

We built the whole thing first

Most pilots test a concept. We tested a complete system.

From little things, big things grow: One Business Manager's Story That's Changing Schools

When Andrew Bryne stood up to present at our recent masterclass, he did something quietly remarkable. He didn't promote Climate Action Schools. He didn't sell a program. He simply shared what happened when he decided to stop sending valuable resources to landfill at Woodridge State High School - and let the numbers do the talking. And what numbers they are.

Climate Action Schools, Case StudiesJules McMurtrie15 September 2026Woodridge SHSComment

Sunshine Coast program starts with a circular tour

Thanks to a partnership with Qld Manufacturing Hub on the Sunshine Coast and Cummins, three schools on the Sunshine Coast recently visited an industry leading circular manufacturer Megabeam. Our thanks to everyone for making this a great tour to showcase sustainability systems at work in industry, even Subway!

The Circular Revolution is here — and it's already working

Two Queensland schools quietly did something remarkable over the past 18 months. They stopped sending money to landfill.

One of them — Woodridge State High School — diverted 76% of their waste from landfill, saved $27,000 in waste costs and earned $6,000 in circular income. When their business manager Andrew left over 12 months ago, they were sitting at 56% diversion. Without him, without a champion pushing it, the number didn't fall. It climbed. They're now at 76% and still improving. That's not a pilot program result. That's a system working exactly as it should. Andrew recently shared these learnings at the School Business Managers Conference on the Gold Coast.

Climate Action SchoolsJules McMurtrie15 September 2026Divert and Earn, Aluminium cans, white paper, recycling, Circular economy, The cleanersComment

June 2026 Newsletter: Industry tours, donation stations, textile recovery and opportunities for circular economy partners.

Welcome..

Recently, I hosted the Circular Sustainability Tour to Industry in partnership with the Queensland Government’s Sunshine Coast Advancing Manufacturing Hub. Super experience being surrounded by an inspiring and enthusiastic group of people. Huge thanks also to our partners at Containers for Change for inviting us to co-present with them at the recent P&C’s Qld conference.

Check out below how to register your interest to get a regional donation station to increase your Green Gold Rush circular income. They were also giving our schools a chance to pilot a plastic-to-pens program, turning bottle tops and lids into pens. Love circular.

Yours in sustainability Jules 😊

Calling Circular Partners to get in touch

We're actively connecting our growing network of climate-action schools with circular economy partners — businesses, innovators, and organisations who are closing the loop on waste and want to do it with the next generation, not just for them.

April 2026 Term 2 Newsletter: Australia’s first schools and industry Sustainability Learning Ecosystem

Welcome back to Term 2 - shaping the future, together…

Welcome back! It's wonderful to step into Term 2 alongside such a committed community of schools, educators, and partners. 🌱

This term feels energising. Meeting Tracie Drain, Systems Engineer for NASA's Europa Clipper Mission, at the World Science Festival was a timely reminder of what's possible when curiosity meets purpose. Take your daughters, nieces, sisters — the younger, the better. 🚀

March 2026 Term 1 Newsletter: Australia’s first schools and industry Sustainability Learning Ecosystem

Welcome to the Climate Action Schools newsletter

The world can feel overwhelming right now. As conflict dominates the headlines and the scale of our environmental challenges grows, it's easy to wonder whether any of it matters.

We think it does. In fact, we think it matters more than ever.

The 11 R's of Circularity: A Framework for Schools That Actually Changes Behaviour

There's a quiet revolution happening in schools. It doesn't look like a protest or a policy. It looks like someone noticing a broken chair and asking, "Can we fix that instead of throwing it away?" It looks like a class mapping out where their waste goes. It looks like young people who don't just know about climate action — they're doing something about it.

🚀 Get ready, Climate Action Schools are coming to you! 🌍

Exciting news! Our "Climate Action Schools" Queensland roadshow, proudly partnered with industry leader Cummins, is hitting the road and heading your way! We're bringing a unique opportunity to transform your school into a beacon of sustainability, and we can't wait to share it with you.

Climate Action SchoolsShan Cox3 February 2026Regional Roadshow, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Subsidised workshops, Sunshine CoastComment

Green Gold Rush!

Queensland Schools only … What a fantastic opportunity for our schools to lead the way in sustainability and generate additional valuable funds for your P&C. In the first half of 2026, the P&C Association will be releasing 20 regional Donation Stations to schools in the SE Corner!

January 2026 Term 1 Newsletter: Award-Winning Sustainability Support for Queensland Schools

Welcome back to a busy year ahead!

Whether you're starting out on your sustainability journey or you're a seasoned professional, welcome.

Exciting times as we collaborate with P&Cs Qld and Container Exchange, see below for details.

Term 4, 2025 Newsletter: A Year-End Check-In: Sustainability, Systems & 2026 Workshops

As another school year winds up for Year 12’s and everyone is starting to plan Christmas presents and parties, it’s a timely reminder to think and behave sustainably. Lean even.

The Lean Sensei

The Lean Sensei: Smarter solutions for lasting change.
Thanks to our partners at The Industry Factory and Neuro Group, we’re excited to share access to a 2 week free trial of The Lean Sensei. This innovative AI coach blends LEAN principles and the behavioural science insights from the NeuroPower framework to empower Climate Action Schools and industry partners, helping them embed sustainable practices and drive professional growth. Start your 2-week FREE trial here:https://neuroplus.ai/passports/lean-sensei-cas-2025

Climate Action SchoolsShan Cox25 November 2025NeuroPower, LEAN, AIComment

ESG That Matters: Why Industry Partners Are Driving Change in Schools

As ESG becomes a core responsibility for organisations, many industries are looking for meaningful ways to create environmental and social impact — not just report on it.

That’s where Climate Action Schools comes in.

Partnering with a school gives industry a direct line to real, measurable ESG outcomes while supporting local communities and the next generation of workers.

Start with a Tour? Stepping into a Sustainable Future: Industry Tours for Professional Growth

In today's rapidly evolving world, the call for sustainability resonates across every sector. Whether you're shaping young minds in the classroom, maintaining vital spaces, or steering an enterprise, understanding, and implementing sustainable practices is no longer optional – it's essential for our collective future and individual professional growth.

Many of us are passionate about sustainability but sometimes translating that passion into tangible action or effective teaching can feel challenging.

Term 3 Newsletter: Celebrating Sustainability & Industry 6.0 - Thriving Together!

To our incredible schools, valued industry partners, dedicated volunteers, visionary leaders, and passionate student ambassadors – Welcome!

This newsletter is a testament to our collective commitment, designed to inspire and empower every step of your sustainability journey.

At Climate Action Schools, we live our vision daily: Redesigning Success: People + planet; thriving together.

Unlocking Tomorrow's Leaders: The Power of Your School's Sustainability Skills Centre

Australia's new Circular Economy Framework is here, and it's a game-changer. It envisions a future where waste is a resource, value is kept in play, and our economy thrives in harmony with the planet. But how do we get there? At Climate Action Schools, we believe the journey starts in our schools, with our students.

Imagine a school where 75% of resources are diverted from landfill, where recycling is decontaminated, and organics are recovered daily. This isn't a dream; it's the reality in our partner schools, thanks to our unique program.

Foundation Partners: Cummins Leads the Way to a Circular Future

In the journey towards Industry 6.0, true leadership means integrating sustainability into the very core of your business. We want to give a massive shout-out to Cummins, our foundation partner, who exemplifies this vision and has been instrumental in the inception and growth of Climate Action Schools.

Community Powering a Sustainable Future: Woodridge State High and Industry 6.0 in Action

At Climate Action Schools, we believe in fostering a holistic approach to sustainability, understanding that our local actions contribute to a global vision. This vision extends beyond the classroom, embracing a collaborative 'ecosystem' where industry, community, and education unite. Recently, Woodridge State High School became a vibrant example of this philosophy, hosting a special working bee that showcased the power of collective effort in driving Industry 6.0 sustainability.