Rathmines School raises $11,040 by being green
Rathmines students hit a record by raising $11,040 for their school through participation in a scheme to save the environment.

Rathmines School joined the ‘Bright Kids Schools’ program of Easy Being Green, a group focused on helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and signed up 2,208 households for a Climate Saver Packs free of charge.

For a period of two weeks, students knocked on the doors in their neighbourhood and installed a stand in the centre of the town to encourage householders to sign up for a Climate Saver Pack. The school collected an average of 9.6 forms per student, a first-time record within the ‘Bright Kids Schools’ Easy Being Green program.

For every Climate Saver Pack given away to Rathmines residents, Easy Being Green donated $5 to the school.

The standard Pack contains six energy saving light globes and one AAA rated water saving showerhead.

Rathmines teacher Debbie Campbell said the local response has been sensational.

“We only had two weeks to distribute the forms and the response from the community has been excellent. Students have been knocking door to door and some parents have taken them to work and club gatherings,” Debbie said.

“The money raised will assist with funding student assistance and help send students to camps and participate in school activities,” she said.

Debbie said the teachers were given an environmental education kit to help give students ideas on how to make a sustainable future.

“The students are so enthusiastic about the initiative. They’re constantly thinking about ways to help the environment. They have learnt to walk to school or use their bikes or the bus as opposed to having their parents driving them. They have also started turning the lights off during the day and opening the blinds of the classroom windows instead,” she said.

But residents only have until 30 September to still obtain a pack free of charge (worth $100 retail) by going to www.easybeinggreen.com.au. The free offer in its current form is set to change after 30 September due to changes in the Government scheme.

After 30 September, Easy Being Green plans to provide energy efficient light globes and water saving showerheads free of charge through a verified installation process. With verified installation, Easy Being Green will be able to provide globes for every suitable light socket in the home and showerheads for all showers. More information on Easy Being Green’s in-home installation service will soon be available on www.easybeinggreen.com.au.

Paul Gilding, CEO at Easy Being Green and former Executive Director of Greenpeace International, said the Council’s involvement has had a great impact on the environment.

“Not only has Rathmines School’s commitment to this partnership helped in fundraising for their school but it has also helped us make it easier to be green for the residents in the area. That’s a fantastic achievement,” Gilding said.

“By installing this Climate Saver Pack, householders can save over one tonne of greenhouse gas pollution from entering earth’s atmosphere and an average of 21,000 litres of water each year. They also save $150 off their combined annual electricity and water bills,” he said.

To collect your Climate Saver Pack free of charge and receive more information on Green Power, go to the website at www.easybeinggreen.com.au.

***
Released for Easy Being Green by Dennis Rutzou Public Relations.
For further information please call Fiona Pennington or
Kim Larochelle on 02 9413 4244.