Children swapped story time for rubbish bags during the week, joining the nationwide push for Clean Up Australia Day.
In the lead-up to the event’s 36th year, youngsters from Queensland Childcare Services’ Hyperdome Early Education Centre in Logan’s Shailer Park, headed outdoors to collect litter from nearby bushland and public spaces.
The clean-ups form part of a broader effort to introduce children to environmental responsibility from an early age.
Queensland Childcare Services general manager Laura Faalili said hands-on activities helped turn big ideas like sustainability into everyday habits.
“Environmental education must start early,” Ms Faalili said.
“When we teach children about recycling, reducing waste and caring for their surroundings, we are shaping the next generation of environmental leaders.”
She said participating in Clean Up Australia gave children a practical lesson in caring for their community.
“They don’t just hear about sustainability, they actively practise it,” she said.
Clean Up Australia’s Litter Report for the 2024–25 financial year shows plastics make up more than 80 per cent of litter found in natural areas and streets.
The report estimates that about 250kg of litter enters Australia’s marine and land environments every minute.
More than one million volunteers took part in clean-up events nationwide in 2025.
Ms Faalili said the lessons extended beyond picking up rubbish.
“It’s about embedding simple but meaningful actions into daily routines,” Ms Faalili said.
“Picking up litter, reducing plastic use, sorting waste correctly so contributing to a clean future becomes second nature,” she said.
Queensland Childcare Services runs outdoor programs, including Beach and Bush Kindy, designed to immerse children in natural environments while building problem-solving skills and adaptability.
Ms Faalili said sustainability was embedded in the curriculum year-round, rather than treated as a one-off event.
“We intentionally immerse children in outdoor learning environments to foster a respectful, protective relationship with nature,” she said.
