Growing With Waste

The Growing Problem of Food Waste

The world faces a major food waste crisis, with nearly a third of all food produced going to waste each year. At the same time, food waste continues to deepen global hunger and food insecurity.

Food waste rots in Landfill.

When food rots in landfills it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that worsens climate change.

Currently in New Zealand, 100,000 tonnes of recyclable materials end up in landfills yearly, and around 16% of what’s placed in recycling bins is not actually recyclable.
Additionally, food scraps account for roughly a third of household waste, when food rots in landfills it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that worsens climate change contributing to the release of harmful gases as they decompose in landfills.

To help manage New Zealand food waste crisis, city councils have begun to receive food scrap collection bins in urban areas to reduce the landfill by half.

Auckland Council Waste

Growing with Waste – AMC Commercial Cleaning’s environmental initiative

As part of AMC’s commitment to environmental sustainability, we have developed Growing with Waste, an initiative to teach young people in the community about the positive potential of waste and learning how to make good from it.

Starting this year, AMC is providing a number of Barnardos childcare centres with worm farm kits. Each kit includes a hungry bin worm farm, gardening tools, a food scarp bin with easy-to-understand information about the worms and how to use food scraps in a positive way.

The worm farm will transform everyday food and compost waste taken from children’s lunchboxes and around the childcare centre, into nutrient-rich fertilizer, giving new life to our soil and helping vegetables and plants thrive in their centres.

Kids in Worm Farm

Hungry Bin website - Worm Farm

By encouraging a desire for understanding of ecosystems, sustainability, and the importance of reducing waste, worm farming equips children with the knowledge and mindset needed to contribute to a cleaner, greener future.

Say hello to ‘Wesley’ the Worm!

Wesley Worm, our worm farm mascot will teach children hands on about using waste for good. Wesley will lead the messaging about food waste being transformed into something valuable, teaching the children about feeding the worms kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peeling, bread crusts and paper scraps kids can see firsthand how waste materials decompose over time while learning about worms facts and their importance to the environment ecosystem

Children will have the opportunity to engage directly with the worms, learning how food scraps can be repurposed to create valuable compost for gardens. They’ll be able to track the growth of their vegetables, learning how sustainable practices can make a real difference in producing fresh, healthy food.

Supporting Barnardos Aotearoa

Our programme commenced in January 2025 with Barnardos Aotearoa childcare centres in Aotearoa. Barnardos Henderson and Barnardos Otara were the first to receive their kits with the children very intrigued to learn about Wesley and his friends.

Centre Manager, Carolaina Mua, introducing Wesley the Worm’s farm, Barnardos Otara.

Centre Manager, Barnardos Henderson, Joanne Bywater accepting the Worm Farm from AMC.

Worm Farm set up at Barnardos Otara.

‘Barnardos Aotearoa is thrilled to bring AMC’s Wesley the Worm initiative to our Auckland Early Learning Centres! This incredible program offers our tamariki a fun, hands-on opportunity to explore the wonders of vermiculture and sustainable practices.’

                                                                          – Vashi Wood, Corporate Engagement Manager

The Grow with Waste initiative into Barnardos childcare centres are part of AMC’s ongoing support with Barnardos.
As we continue to support their initiatives throughout the year, we are excited to expand on our sustainability efforts and look for new ways to integrate environmental education into the lives of the next generation.

Barnardos Aotearoa is New Zealand’s largest and one of the most trusted children’s not-for-profit organizations, committed to making a positive difference in the lives of children, families, and whānau across the country. With over 50 years of experience, and a total of 21 early childhood education centres across New Zealand. Barnardos has built a strong reputation for providing a wide range of services aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable children and helping to strengthen communities.

We are proud to support Barnardos in New Zealand in their mission and are excited about the positive impact that our support, along with the Grow with Waste initiative, will have on tamariki and their families.

At AMC Commercial Clean, we believe that by investing in children today, we are building a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future for all. Through initiatives like Grow with Waste, we are laying the foundation for a generation that understands the importance of looking after our environment—and the power they have to make a difference.