
In a bid to facilitate learning and foster sustainable habits in Australian children, climate advocate, educator and author Anhely Millán has developed an e-learning platform offering E-books, videos and free resources for parents and educators. Sustainability For Kids covers topics such as respect for animals, respect for nature, respect for the ocean, water conservation, sustainable energy, recycling, composting and sustainable packaging in various forms, from podcast and caricature-based learning tools to classroom and home activities.
Starting her career as a secondary teacher with bachelor and post graduate degrees in Chemistry, Marketing, Environmental Management and Sustainability, Millán’s approach is grounded in science but communicated in a child-friendly and engaging way.
“Our aspiration is that young kids (and grown-ups too!) become more conscious about our natural resources, water and energy use, and the sustainable choices we all can make. We often underestimate how much influence everyday choices have on mindset. From bringing a reusable bag to the shops, to packing a waste-free lunch, to talking about where our rubbish goes, each moment is an opportunity to teach values. I wanted to create books and resources that engage children as well as educate,” says Millán.
Anhely’s latest book, The World Behind Composting, features main character, Compost Ben, guiding readers through how composting transforms food scraps and organics into nutrient-rich soil, helping reduce the amount of trash going to landfills, and saving our planet from rising temperatures. It highlights the importance of looking for the certified compostable logos on packaging, as these logos verify that the packaging is suitable for composting, without risk of contamination.

The World Behind Composting
The timing of this book release coincides with the NSW Government’s Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) recycling services mandate to reduce organic waste sent to landfill and promote sustainable waste management practices. All NSW households receiving a residual (red lid) waste collection service are required to have access to a FOGO waste service by 1 July 2030.
“This book can help kids understand programs like FOGO (Food Organics, Garden Organics). Leading by example by setting up sorting stations and involving kids in the process teaches responsibility and makes sustainability a family effort,”continues Millán.
Sustainability is embedded in the NSW school curriculum, and government policies like the Environmental Education Policy for Schools reinforce the importance of fostering these values in our classrooms.
Millán shares her top tips for fostering sustainable habits in kids.
Top tips for fostering sustainable habits in kids:
Getting Kids Outside and Connected to Nature: One of the simplest ways to cultivate environmental awareness in kids is through time outdoors. Exploring bushwalks, gardening at home, or simply playing in the park nurtures a love for nature, and with it, a desire to protect it.
Hands-on Activities: Activities like growing vegetables or making a worm farm also help children understand natural systems and the importance of biodiversity. Set up your own composting system to show how composting food scraps reducing waste. Challenge kids to think of ways to reduce what goes in the red bin and sent to landfill.
Reach for Resources to Support Sustainable Learning: Tap into available resources to help deepen children's understanding of environmental issues.
Tackling Waste at Home and School: Sustainability starts with everyday habits, and the home is the perfect place to begin. Teach kids to:
- Sort rubbish correctly and make sure you're throwing the right items in each bin.
- Check product labels before tossing things in the bin. Items with recycling labels should go in recycling bin.
- Only prepare and serve the amount of food you need to avoid food wastage, and freeze leftovers to avoid spoiling.
- Use certified compostable liners in food scrap caddies (look for the AS 4736 or AS 5810 logos) Avoid items labeled merely “biodegradable” as these can pollute compost streams.
- Buy Smart: To reduce waste contamination and support better recycling and composting, it’s important to buy smart. Look for these logos on packaging: AS 4736 (for commercial composting), AS 5810 (for home composting). Avoid products with vague labels like “degradable” or “biodegradable” that don’t provide certified guarantees as they may contaminate compost streams.
Research shows that instilling a sense of responsibility towards the environment in early childhood can foster sustainable habits. Kids who learn to reduce, reuse, recycle, and think critically about consumption and waste, are more likely to grow into adults who conserve resources, protect ecosystems, and advocate for change.
By planting the seeds of sustainability early, we can encourage conscious consumption, thoughtful waste management, respect for natural resources and environmental problem-solving, empowering our children to grow into thoughtful adults.
Free resources available at www.sustainabilityforkids.com.au



Certified Compostable Logos