EAST Learns from the Grand Prix to Drive Sustainability

This year, Mazenod College's Ecology and Sustainability Team (EAST) has been working with Mr Daniel Paone (MOC1998), CEO of The Waste Network and ATLAST, to develop a new model for holistic 'front-to-back-of-house' waste management at the College.

This project began in February, with the students adopting the waste audit methodology that The Waste Network and ATLAST use in their work with the Melbourne Grand Prix, MCG, and Spring Racing Carnival, among other major events.

As part of this project, a special invitation was extended to a small contingent of EAST students by the Melbourne Grand Prix to attend their Driving Learning Program and tour the waste management operations of the Grand Prix. Not only did students get a first-hand insight into the planning and infrastructure involved in managing waste at large-scale events, but they were also fortunate to participate in a wide range of opportunities at the Grand Prix's Innovation Hub, including educational workshops, STEM and F1 activations, e-sports simulators, and pit stop tyre-changing competitions.

In the coming months, under the direction of Mr Nathan Fallon (Mazenod College Ecology Leader) and in collaboration with Mr Tony Coghlan (Director of the De Mazenod Family Education Network), students will be working with Daniel to compile a detailed consulting paper proposing new waste management approaches to improve College sustainability. This paper will form the basis of system-wide waste management interventions throughout the College in 2025/26.