Published on Monday, 23 May 2022 at 10:22:19 AM
Albany has become the first regional hub for a new initiative that keeps unwanted stationery items out of landfill and gives them a new life for children in need.
Give Write is a not-for-profit enterprise that takes donations of school stationery to recycle, repackage and re-distribute to children so they can start school with all the items they need.
As well as helping vulnerable families, the program aims to reduce waste to landfill and encourage philanthropy in children from a young age.
The City has supported two local schools to run Give Write donation drives, and has partnered with Albany Secondary Education Support Centre to repackage donated items into new packs for distribution to local schools.
Give Write Founder Anita Bell said they are delighted to be working with the City of Albany.
“Give Write is focussed on assisting children in need throughout Western Australia, and having our first regional hub based in Albany is a very important step to reach more deserving families,” she said.
“Developing a local stationery recycling program not only promotes great community involvement, but also reduces local landfill and our overall carbon footprint where we no longer have to transport items to and from Perth.”
Albany Secondary Education Support Centre Workplace Learning Coordinator Deborah Guest said students were able to experience the value they can contribute through volunteering.
“It has proven to be a wonderful partnership where several of our students have been able to participate and learn valuable work skills,” she said.
“It was a positive experience for all involved that we look forward to an ongoing relationship where students with disabilities are given real world opportunities to learn and practice employability skills.”
The success of the program has led to the establishment of a permanent drop-off point for pre-loved stationery including pens, pencils, crayons, textas, highlighters, erasers, glue sticks and rulers at Albany Public Library.
Schools who would like to run their own Give Write donation drives are encouraged to contact the City’s Waste & Sustainability Team on 6820 3000. Schools who wish to receive Give Write packs for their students can order at www.givewrite.org.au.
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