Carey’s 2024 Sustainability Report: turning vision into action

We are excited to share the release of Carey's 2024 Sustainability Report, capturing a significant year of action, innovation and community collaboration on our journey towards a more sustainable future. 

From energy upgrades and waste reduction to student leadership and strategic planning, this report highlights the tangible steps we’ve taken to embed sustainability into every corner of school life. 

Renewable energy expansion 

Two major solar installations were completed – at Carey Zero (39.6kW) and the De Young Centre for Performing Arts (90.5kW) – projected to generate over 170,000 kWh annually and significantly reduce emissions. 

Closing the loop on waste 

We trialled onsite composting systems (Solar Cones), introduced reusable packaging in our canteen and expanded e-waste and soft plastics recycling. Our Carey Swap Shop found new homes for preloved uniforms, promoting a culture of reuse. 

Smarter water use 

Water audits and infrastructure mapping began, helping us better understand and manage water across all campuses. We reduced water use by 17% since our 2022 baseline. 

Active and sustainable transport 

We gathered data to inform future transport strategies, already seeing a 10% reduction in fuel usage from 2022 levels. 

Learning in action 

Sustainability is alive in our classrooms and gardens. From Eleanor Burns’s leadership of the Kitchen Garden Program to student-led initiatives like the wildlife garden and plastic bottle recycling campaign, our students are turning knowledge into action. 

Measuring impact 

While we exceeded our recycling and paper reduction targets, we identified key improvement areas in electricity and landfill. Our total emissions dropped 52% from the 2022 baseline, though we exceeded our annual target – clearer data and new systems will help guide further reductions.

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Thank you to the many students, staff and community members who made this progress possible. Together, we are not just imagining a better future – we’re building it.