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Events and Promotions - Extra: TAFE NSW Sustainability Hubs

What are Sustainability Hubs?

TAFE NSW Sustainability Hubs have been set up in eight libraries across the state to support sustainability initiatives and promote sustainable practices both in the workplace and at home. The Hubs will:

  • Support sustainability events
  • Build awareness of TAFE NSW initiatives and outcomes
  • Promote and support circular economy initiatives with local recycling services

  

    The Sustainability Hub is a space within the library dedicated to showcasing, supporting and promoting sustainability to staff and students at TAFE NSW. Here you can find tips and tricks on how to recycle, any upcoming local and community events you can get involved in, as well as a collection point for some hard-to-recycle items. The Hubs will also showcase some great books and resources on sustainability for you to learn more.

Sustainability Hub locations:

Grafton  -  Miller  -  Newcastle (Tighes Hill)   -  Nepean  - Orange  -  St Leonards  -   Ultimo  -  Wagga Wagga

Other useful guides:

Sustainability : Questions and Answers

  

    Sustainability is the idea of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their needs. It’s about balancing social, environmental and economic priorities to ensure we don’t use more than we need, and to have a safe, prospering and habitable planet for future generations.

  

    TAFE is committed to being a leader in sustainability, and this means engaging everyone who works and studies at TAFE to think about how they can contribute to the bigger picture. TAFE has a Sustainability Strategy with 4 main priority areas: Climate Action (looking at emissions reduction and adapting to climate change), Circular Economy (looking at sustainable procurement within our operations and waste and recycling), Nature (all things biodiversity and fostering positive environmental impacts on campus). You can find out more by looking at our webpage or staff intranet hub by searching ‘TAFE NSW Sustainability’.

  

    The Sustainability team are currently working on a process and system on how TAFE NSW can establish a network of individuals that will be able to support our Sustainability goals, initiatives and events locally. As this progresses the team will be sure to share any updates and initiatives through the Sustainability Hub. Please feel free to reach out to the Sustainability team for more information via the email address.

  

    Recycling requires a few moving parts including bin infrastructure, servicing availability (being able to actually collect the waste for disposal to the right facility) and cleaning contract requirements to separate the waste. After several years in a budget constrained environment, some of these services were lacking and have resulted in the lack of proper recycling on campus. It is a priority for TAFE and the Sustainability team to ensure there is recycling on as many campuses as possible and that it is done properly. Rest assured we are working in the background to get recycling at your campus by working with our suppliers, amending contracts and seeking funding.

  

    You can put household batteries (AA, AAA, D-cell and C-cell batteries), empty blister packs from medication, bread tags (both plastic and paper), all types of pens, old DVDs and CDs and any small broken electrical cables (think USB cords, earphones etc). We can’t accept any lithium-ion batteries (found in laptop chargers, phones, vapes or any rechargeable device) or any large e-waste (laptops, phones, monitors, etc).
    For regional campuses without Recycle Smart:
    You can put household batteries (AA, AAA, D-cell and C-cell batteries), empty blister packs from medication, and all types of pens. We can’t accept any lithium-ion batteries (found in laptop chargers, phones, vapes or any rechargeable device) or any large e-waste (laptops, phones, monitors, etc).

  

    TAFE has collaborated with a company called ‘Recycle Smart’ that take the tricky to recycle items to be sorted and separated. Here they will be sent on to an appropriate recycler for processing. You can read more on their website.
    For regional campuses without Recycle Smart:
    Batteries go to local supermarkets and collection points to be safely disposed of and separated. Blister packs head off to local pharmacies that participate in the Pharmacycle program, that separate the plastics and aluminium in blister packs to ensure the aluminium can be reused time and time again (TIP: it’s one of the most infinitely recyclable materials as it can be melted down and remoulded without losing integrity). The pens go to local Officeworks stores to be separated and recycled in their various material streams.

  

    Soft plastics: unfortunately, there are limited soft plastic recycling collection points at the moment, but this is a key focus area for NSW so watch this space! For now, soft plastics will have to go in your general waste
    Textiles/clothing: While textiles and clothing recycling is limited, there are a few companies that accept them. If they’re in wearable condition, consider taking them to a second-hand store like Vinnies, the Salvation Army or Lifeline. If they’re not wearable, you can send them off through UPPAREL (a home collection service) or RCYCL, or take them to a local H&M store for free recycling.
    Larger e-waste: Most local councils have ‘Community Recycling Centres’ which accept bulk e-waste. Check your local council’s website to see where these are located.

  

    A circular economy is the idea that we can design out waste from the system, extend the life of goods and assets, and regenerate nature in the process. It relies on reducing our use of virgin resources so we don’t have to keep digging up more or cutting down more trees, and instead use the resources we all ready have. By considering the “10 Rs” in our daily life and work, we can help to reduce our waste and transition to a circular economy: Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle, Recover.

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Australasian Green Gown Award 2025

 

 

 

TAFE NSW Sustainability Hubs - 2025 Winner Creating impact category

"Winning this award validates our commitment to educating, and empowering students, staff and communities through our leadership of innovative, sustainability initiatives. Our Sustainability Library Hubs exemplify the way that TAFE NSW is fostering change across communities. We remain dedicated to growing a network of sustainability advocacy throughout TAFE NSW". 

Find out more 

TAFE NSW's Diploma of Sustainable Practice Higher Education course was awarded the winner of the Next Generation Learning and Skills category in the 2025 International Green Gown Awards. For more information watch the video below.

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World Environment Day - 5th June 2026

 

 World Environment Day, June 5, 2026 is a global call for climate action.

Climate action is not just about reducing carbon emissions, it's about repairing our relationship with the climate as well as rethinking what powers our economies. 

 

 

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Our Sustainability Hubs

Newcastle

Orange

St Leonards

Nepean

Ultimo