A scheme to introduce dedicated vape recycling bins across Rockingham has won two of our Year 9 students $300 in the recent Bendigo Community Bank ‘How Would You Improve Your Community?’ competition.
Mackenzie Sorensen and Savannah Baker designed an original recycling bin that will prevent harmful ingredients found in e-cigarettes from polluting our streets and landfill. The scheme will also allow vape parts to be recycled.
Their idea was one of six finalists from Comet Bay College pitched to a panel of judges on Tuesday, which included Principal Kelly Bennett, Associate Principal Jo Harmer and HASS Dean Kerry Cross.
Other ideas included vertical gardens in shopping centres, bike repair stations, beach shades featuring indigenous artwork, a Secret Harbour first aid station for beachgoers and a QR code Super Sticker system to help identify faulty or damaged street lights, traffic signals and other council facilities.
Mackenzie and Savannah will go on to present their vape recycling scheme to judges in the regional finals, where they will be in the running for $1000 and a chance to have their idea implemented by the City of Rockingham. We wish them luck!