• Charles Sturt successfully trials new waste diversion policy in Albury-Wodonga aimed at reducing the amount of furniture and equipment going into landfill

Charles Sturt University in Albury-Wodonga has saved approximately 288m3 of furniture items from ending up in landfill by rehoming the furniture to local schools and not-for-profit organisations.

Nearly 230 items of furniture from Charles Sturt in Albury-Wodonga were rehomed in 2019 under the University’s new trial waste diversion policy, which aims to decrease the amount of furniture and equipment the University sends to landfill.

The trial policy also sets out guidelines that furniture, fixtures and equipment, such as sporting, lab and technical equipment, purchased by the University in the future should, where possible, be made from recycled materials and be repurposed or recycled at the end of its use.

CSU Green Manager Mr Ed Maher said the trial policy was introduced after staff at the University identified a number of furniture, fixtures and equipment could be reused, repurposed and recycled, rather than ending up in landfill.

“Under the trial policy, Charles Sturt University adopted a circular economy model which supports the repurposing, reusing and recycling of items to keep them in use for as long as possible,” Mr Maher said.

“Trialling this policy is just another example of how Charles Sturt University is continuing to look for ways to reduce our waste and carbon emissions and improve our sustainability efforts.”

Baranduda Primary School is one of 10 local schools and not-for-profit organisations that welcomed the furniture rehomed by Charles Sturt.

Under the policy, Charles Sturt repurposed and rehomed a boardroom table and chairs for the school’s staff room. 

“It is wonderful to see the furniture and equipment Charles Sturt University no longer needs being rehomed and put to good use by local schools and not-for-profits,” Mr Maher said.

“I am glad this new policy has had positive effects on both the environment and our community, and we are now working to trial this waste diversion policy in other campuses across our regional footprint.”

Next month, the Albury-Wodonga campus will have a range of office furniture available for rehoming to local schools and not-for-profit organisations.

Interested parties can view the furniture when it becomes available or express interest by emailing csugreen@csu.edu.au.

Local schools and not-for-profit groups in Orange, Bathurst and Wagga Wagga can sign up to be notified of furniture and equipment when it becomes available for rehoming under the new policy by emailing csugreen@csu.edu.au.