Creating Impact category
At TAFE Queensland Robina, a powerful sustainability movement has emerged without a dollar of dedicated funding. What started as student-led reuse tables and container recycling has scaled into a system-wide shift across 64 campuses. The initiative combines creativity, grassroots leadership, and a circular economy mindset to deliver real change. Initiatives such as “Stop and Drop” reuse stations, eco-markets, a cross-campus composting partnership, and the “Be Green, Keep It on Screen” print reduction campaign demonstrate that small, low-cost actions can generate large-scale impact when driven by purpose and people. With thousands of students engaged, measurable waste reductions, and growing adoption across TAFE Queensland, Robina’s model proves that culture change doesn’t require big budgets—just vision and community.
Environmental and Social Benefits
- Diverted 56% of landfill waste in 2023 and achieved a 988% increase in container recycling, with profits used to fund student scholarships.
- Compost produced from food waste at partner campuses enhances horticulture training, while reduced printing has led to widespread savings and environmental benefits.
- Community events like clothes swaps and reuse markets foster social connection, reduce financial pressure for students, and promote conscious consumption.
Leadership and Engagement
- More than 3,000 students and 50+ staff have participated in or led initiatives, spanning hospitality, education, business, fitness, and trades.
- Entirely voluntary and staff-embedded, the program operates without dedicated roles, instead leveraging community energy, peer mentorship, and cross-campus collaboration.
- Robina now mentors other campuses, facilitating the rollout of successful models like “Be Green, Keep It on Screen” across all 64 TAFE Queensland campuses.
Significance to the Sector
- A replicable, low-cost sustainability blueprint for RTOs and VET providers, proving impact is possible with minimal resources.
- Adopted widely across Queensland and featured in Sustainable Business Magazine and sector events.
- Supports the UN SDGs and TAFE Queensland’s Social and Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, while building capacity for sector-wide culture change.
Wider Societal Impact
- Engages local communities and micro-businesses through public-facing reuse and sustainability events.
- Strengthens employability by embedding circular economy literacy and hands-on sustainability practice into student experience.
- Fosters environmental citizenship through peer-led learning, volunteerism, and values-driven leadership.
Top 3 learnings
Supported by
Category finalists
Creating Impact
Creating Impact
Creating Impact
Creating Impact
Creating Impact category
At TAFE Queensland Robina, a powerful sustainability movement has emerged without a dollar of dedicated funding. What started as student-led reuse tables and container recycling has scaled into a system-wide shift across 64 campuses. The initiative combines creativity, grassroots leadership, and a circular economy mindset to deliver real change. Initiatives such as “Stop and Drop” reuse stations, eco-markets, a cross-campus composting partnership, and the “Be Green, Keep It on Screen” print reduction campaign demonstrate that small, low-cost actions can generate large-scale impact when driven by purpose and people. With thousands of students engaged, measurable waste reductions, and growing adoption across TAFE Queensland, Robina’s model proves that culture change doesn’t require big budgets—just vision and community.
Top 3 learnings
Environmental and Social Benefits
- Diverted 56% of landfill waste in 2023 and achieved a 988% increase in container recycling, with profits used to fund student scholarships.
- Compost produced from food waste at partner campuses enhances horticulture training, while reduced printing has led to widespread savings and environmental benefits.
- Community events like clothes swaps and reuse markets foster social connection, reduce financial pressure for students, and promote conscious consumption.
Leadership and Engagement
- More than 3,000 students and 50+ staff have participated in or led initiatives, spanning hospitality, education, business, fitness, and trades.
- Entirely voluntary and staff-embedded, the program operates without dedicated roles, instead leveraging community energy, peer mentorship, and cross-campus collaboration.
- Robina now mentors other campuses, facilitating the rollout of successful models like “Be Green, Keep It on Screen” across all 64 TAFE Queensland campuses.
Significance to the Sector
- A replicable, low-cost sustainability blueprint for RTOs and VET providers, proving impact is possible with minimal resources.
- Adopted widely across Queensland and featured in Sustainable Business Magazine and sector events.
- Supports the UN SDGs and TAFE Queensland’s Social and Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, while building capacity for sector-wide culture change.
Wider Societal Impact
- Engages local communities and micro-businesses through public-facing reuse and sustainability events.
- Strengthens employability by embedding circular economy literacy and hands-on sustainability practice into student experience.
- Fosters environmental citizenship through peer-led learning, volunteerism, and values-driven leadership.
Supported by
Category finalists
Creating Impact
Creating Impact
Creating Impact
Creating Impact
