Some lessons don’t happen at a table.

A few years ago, instead of asking families for a gold coin donation, we asked for something simpler. Empty bottles and cans.

The 10c refunds added up. And so did something else.

This month, our children and educators walked to the Return and Earn depot on King Street in Mascot. Little hands carrying containers. Little eyes noticing that what we do with our waste has an impact for worse or for good.

The kids remind their parents during the week to bring in containers and learning from their earliest years how simple it is to play a small part in sustainability.

So far, our early learning centre in Mascot has returned more than 4,000 containers, raising $400 for our community. Environmental responsibility isn’t a unit of work. It’s a walk to the depot, once a month, with people they trust.

The world is worth looking after. They already know it.