ERCSA's Environmental Plan Update

In 2019 ERCSA has made a conscious decision to make changes to the way we operate on our programs to make them more environmentally sustainable and responsible. This is in line with directions from the Christian Brothers Oceania Province which call on us as an Edmund Rice Ministry to reduce the impact we make on the Earth.

For the first stage of this Action Plan we looked at implementing at least one change listed below on our July program:

• Better rubbish management: paper, plastic, green waste and general waste
• Consumption of less meat products
• A focus on sustainable activities with participants
• Reduction of single use plastics in the kitchen
• Reduction of single use plastics in the program
• Carbon offsetting: Tree planting

Based on a survey of our volunteer cohort and wider Edmund Rice Community better rubbish management was the focus for July. Secondary to this, where possible, we also reduce the use of single use plastic in the kitchen and consciously consumed less meat products.

On our Younger Kids program, we implemented a very basic bin system for the dining room and kitchen. Both the participants and volunteers developed good habits over the course of the week and this has subsequently led to a discussion around how we continue to make simple conscious choices. We also consumed almost 20 kilograms less meat across both weeks.

More to come in the coming months...