The school has teamed up with a group of Kiama businesses to recycle green waste. 

The green waste is turned into super compost for the school permaculture garden and bush regeneration projects.

Stuart Hall, Kiama Public School teacher said from The Brooding Italian the coffee bean husks are used as carbon material to be mixed with the nitrogen rich coffee grounds from Table for Amy, as well as organic waste from Rosy Lea Café and Always Flowers to make compost for new gardens in the school.

Students have been learning about sustainable agriculture, bush regeneration, life cycles, weeds, herbs, fungi and healthy food. 

“They put their knowledge to good use by growing herbs, vegetables, fruit and native plants as well as clearing weeds and building habitats for native animals,” he said. 

“The organic waste, from these successful local businesses, is put to great use by the students to build rich soil for their garden projects.

“Other community groups and local businesses that have helped us include Kiama council, Saddleback Slow Food Group, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Landcare Illawarra and Lakeline Butchery.” 

Burnett Trees also helped out with mulch from weeds for native garden beds and pathways, raised money for their garden and donated a lemon tree. Organic grain has also been donated for their chooks. 

The students’ latest project has been to clear a huge area of lantana, privet, asparagus fern and “farmers’ friends”. 

This area is about to be mulched and turned into a native garden by the students with the help of Burnetts, Kiama High School volunteers and The Australian Conservation Volunteers