The actions are part of Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre's (ECEC) commitment to sustainability.

Moving more documents online and an expanded vegetable garden are some ways it is reducing its impact on the environment.

The centre won the 2018 Dubbo Chamber of Commerce Gold Rhino Award, and the Silver Rhino for excellence in sustainability, but it's not resting on its laurels.

Six months on, the centre's team is "still looking at ways to constantly improve in our sustainability", Regand Park ECEC owner and director Justine Richards reports.

It has the chance for wider recognition as a finalist in the Western NSW Regional Business Awards on May 10.

Mrs Richards reports as well as a "significantly reduced" paper consumption, sustainability efforts continue in other areas.

The centre has increased its vegetable garden spaces and incorporated a bush tucker garden with indigenous products.

An Embedding Indigenous Culture Focus Group is looking at putting more of the produce on to the centre's menu since last year, Mrs Richards says.

It complements the existing Plant to Plate program, which sees children involved in growing fruit and vegies.

The centre's chef and the young green thumbs use the fresh produce in the kitchen, while scraps are sent to a worm farm and compost.

"This year we've been growing pumpkins and it's just gone crazy," Mrs Richards said, laughing.

"...last year it was sort of topping up our menu, this year we haven't had to buy any pumpkins at all.

"And the excess produce we've been able to give to children to take home and they're starting conversations about growing food and their parents are then benefitting from some of that produce as well."

The activities are learning experiences.

"If we're teaching children about sustainability, then we're creating lifelong skills that they're going to grow up with, and they're going to be more aware of their impact on the environment," Mrs Richards said.

The centre director encouraged other businesses to consider changes.

"I think sometimes it can be quite overwhelming to go 'where do we start', and I think it's important to just start with one small step, and really embed that in your service or your business," Mrs Richards said.

"And just that one small change, how much it can make a difference, and then when you've done that and everybody's on board with that, then you start another small step and another small step."

The centre has been steadily reducing the amount of chemical it uses in the past 18 months, and introducing essential oils and microfibre cloths for cleaning.

"So that even the environment the children are coming into is less toxic, which is then having an impact on the environment as well," Mrs Richards said.

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