sustainability program that blends environmental stewardship with entrepreneurial learning. Inspired by Pope Francis’ 2014 encyclical Laudato Si, which calls on all people to “care for our common home,” the program embodies a deep ecological consciousness. “Our belief is that where the planet is hurting, the most marginalized in our world are also hurting,” Mezinec says. Project Recology is more than a sustainability campaign—it’s a living classroom. Students operate a bio-digester that converts food and green waste from over 1,700 students into compost within eight hours. Excess compost is sold locally, teaching students how environmental responsibility can create value. Plastic recycling is equally innovative: bottles and plastics are transformed into marketable products like bowls, earrings, and planter boxes, which are designed, manufactured, and sold through the school’s Pop Shop.The shop is operated by students in the college’s Inclusion Unit, known as Poplars, which supports 43 students with intellectual disabilities. “They’re learning that caring for the planet can also be a business opportunity,” Mezinec explains.“We’re probably the only school in Australia doing this at this scale—and it’s changing how students think about sustainability.” The program’s success has drawn national and international recognition, earning the college both 73 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 TENSION WOODS COLLEGE
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