02 April 2025
This year, Jolimont Primary School students are leading an inspiring sustainability initiative Plastic to Pegs, that will help to improve campus facilities.
Instead of throwing away plastic milk bottle lids, students collect and transform them into reusable pegs, that are then sold back into the community.
Jolimont Primary School students are recycling bottle lids into pegs,
All funds raised will go towards converting the school courtyard into a vibrant, green and peaceful space for students to enjoy.
As part of the school waste recycling program, this Plastic for Pegs enables students to gain practical experience in reducing waste and repurposing materials for community benefit.
Stella Thompson, a teacher at Jolimont Primary School, has been instrumental in guiding the project and educating students about the power of recycling and reusing.
“Implementing the program has fostered creative problem-solving, adaptability, and patience, reinforcing the school’s commitment to environmental responsibility,” Ms Thompson said.
Roughly six milk bottle lids makes one peg.
“The initiative is meaningful and creates a real difference to the environment.”
“We hope to make over 100 pegs, but the more lids that are donated, or collected, the better.”
Year 4 student, Leo Jarnicki, voiced his excitement about the initiative, explaining the creative process.
“To make one peg, you need to collect about six milk bottle lids,” he said.
“So, we need to collect quite a few more to reach our goal.
“The lids we collect can be any colour. Some pegs turn out to be blue and white, while some are just blue or brown.”
Leading the initiative has required coordination with parents, and external partners, such as WasteSorted Schools, the City of Subiaco and the Western Metropolitan Regional Council.
Nadia Kee, another dedicated member of the schools committee, reflects on the sustainable transformation within the school.
"The enthusiasm and dedication from our students is truly inspiring,” Ms Kee said.
“Watching them take the lead in these initiatives gives me so much hope for the future.”
To find out more about sustainability initiatives at the school, such as the Containers for Change and Recycling Hub, visit its website1.