Worms, waste and compost are all in a day's schooling

Many gloved hands make light work of a pile of rubbish as Pakuranga Intermediate School students carry out a waste audit.

Back-to-school will mean learning how to reduce rubbish for students at 23 more schools across the Auckland region this year.

With triple the number of schools participating in the WasteWise Schools programme since it began in 2008, more students will be trying their hand at reducing their ecological footprint and living more sustainably.

WasteWise Schools Regional Co-ordinator Bronwyn Smith says, "The programme provides a fantastic opportunity for children to learn best waste reduction practices that they can transfer into their home and everyday life."

Students carry out annual audits to identify waste issues in their school. They then develop action plans and put solutions in place for those issues, such as composting systems and worm farms to divert organic waste from landfills.

"As educators we have a role in making a contribution to the wider society. It's important to educate children to take care of the environment, so the environment will take care of them," says Bronwyn Smith.

The WasteWise Schools programme aims to:

• foster sustainable behaviour in students and the school community
• generate less waste
• conserve natural resources
• ultimately, divert material from landfills.

This year 34 schools will take part in WasteWise Schools. As part of its increased role in waste management, Auckland Regional Council is co-ordinating the programme in partnership with the region's city and district councils.