Sustainability
At WonderKindy we have a strong focus on being environmentally friendly. From the way we run our business to the education of our little ones our philosophy is to help improve the habits of people and in the long term our societies.
Many of our business decisions are based around being kind to the environment.
Our building
At WonderKindy - Avondale Heights we have renovated a block of former squash courts. We have attempted to preserve the past and recycled many natural materials such as the original wood on the floors and the plaster on the walls. We want the children to live with natural materials.
Considerations such as energy efficient lighting have been implemented as well as plentiful insulation to reduce the need for heating and air conditioning.
We have painted the building with Taubmans Easycoat With Microban®. This paint is free of heavy metals, free of formaldehyde, is non-toxic and low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice Program has also accepted the paint. Find out more about Taubmans Easycoat With Microban®.
Outdoor Design
The plan for outdoor area involves various environmental aspects. From a planting schedule that includes plants suitable to a dry environment, water tanks will be installed that will be used to water plants. Created in the landscape design is a minimum of grass area to reduce the need for water consumption.
Paper choices
All of our stationery and printed material has been printed on the most environmentally friendly paper we could find. Options Recycled is a specialty paper made from 100% post consumer waste, is produced by energy generated by wind and is chlorine free. It is certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and the Rainforest Alliance’s Smartwood Program.
Electricity
We have chosen to use Green Energy by Origin Energy to reduce our carbon footprint. We will be implementing a 'No Tolerance' Policy with our power consumption.
Nappies
Through doing our research we have discovered that an incredible number of nappies are put into land fill each year taking an estimated 200 years to decompose. Usually nappies are wrapped in a plastic bag, adding another 100 years to the decomposing cycle. WonderKindy didn’t feel right to contribute to this awful fact so we have taken a proactive approach.
All babies at WonderKindy will be supplied with nappies. Our nappy is an eco-disposable nappy by Seventh Generation with many environmental benefits including totally chlorine free absorbent materials avoiding dioxin pollution in our environment and contain no latex, fragrance, or TBT (tributyl tin) which reduces irritation to the babies. These nappies are the no. 1 brand in the USA and are of the highest quality.
Our baby wet wipes are from Biobaby and are 100% biodegradable with organic aloe vera. Find out more about Nature's Child or Bio Baby.
Baby Products
All of our baby products are from Natures Child and Bio Baby.
Cleaning
We use ENJO cleaning products, which uses Micro fibre technology and alleviates chemical cleaners. This also helps reduce asthma and allergies. In incidents that we use detergents we use non-toxic, natural cleaners from Tri-Nature. Find out more about ENJO or Tri-Nature.
Recycling
At WonderKindy we are aiming to recycle more than what we discard as general rubbish. Three bins for rubbish, one for recycling, one for paper recycling and one for general rubbish accompany all rooms. We have a weekly recycling service that collects these bins to be recycled at various recycling plants.
Soon we will be implementing a recycling program for visitors and parents. You will be able to bring in to WonderKindy and place in our bins old batteries, print cartridges, fluorescent light bulbs, cork to be sent to recycling services.
Our Compost Bin
Soon we will be setting up a compost bin for all of our food and plant waste. This in turn will reduce our contribution to the creation of methane gas.
Furniture
Wherever possible we have purchased second hand furniture to equip our staff areas. This helps reduce the amount that we contribute to consumption.
To find out more watch this inspiring and very informative video.