Culturing a reusable environment through yogurt
After auditing their rubbish for one week and finding 40 yogurt pottles, 19 pouches, a number of paper bags and jelly pottles that could not be recycled, Ruahine Manchester Kindergarten applied to last year’s Waste Not Want Not program to purchase 200 reusable containers, 200 teaspoons and yogurt makers.
Not only has the initiative cut down on rubbish, it’s created a cycle of reusability, education and a learning opportunity that tamariki feel proud to participate in.
Applications are open for this year’s Waste Not Want Funding scheme. If you have a project or idea that helps to minimise waste, we’d love to hear from you.
Ruahine Manchester Kindergarten believes it’s never too early to start to instil values and empower young minds. With children as young as three attending, age is not seen as a barrier in learning to take care of the planet.
As an Enviroschool working towards their next accreditation, there has been a multitude of initiatives integrated into the daily schedule. From gardening, composting, growing plants from seedlings to then sell to fundraise for Ruahine Manchester Kindergarten, the teachers are putting these young minds to work. And while that is only the work done outside, the team of teachers are working on initiatives inside including cutting down on litter found in lunches.
“After auditing our rubbish for a week, we found 40 yogurt pottles, 19 pouches and a number of paper bags and jelly pottles”, Karen Alexander teacher at Ruahine Manchester Kindergarten explains. The problem with yogurt pottles is that it’s not a recyclable product so these plastic pottles end up in the landfill. “We put our heads together to think of something that we could do.”
Ruahine Manchester Kindergarten applied to last year’s Waste Not Want Not program offered through the Manawatū District Council for the funding to purchase 200 reusable containers, 200 teaspoons and yogurt makers. Each student was given a reusable container and it is the expectation that the pottles comes back and forth everyday to help create family involvement in the initiative. The teachers, sometimes with the help of the tamariki, make a daily batch of yogurt that is then divided across the pottles.
Not only has the initiative cut down on rubbish, it’s created a cycle of reusability, education and a learning opportunity that tamariki feel proud to participate in. “I know of five families that have since started making their own yogurt at home because they now see how easy it is and the impact a small change can make”, Karen says.
Next item up to tackle for the teachers of Ruahine Manchester Kindergarten, “Muesli bar wrappers!”
If you have a big or small idea that can cut down on waste generated and sent to landfill, we’d love to hear from you. The Waste Not Want Not fund is now open for applications. With three different application streams, there is bound to be a stream for your idea.
While all projects are welcome to apply, the MDC team is especially interested in construction and demolition waste ideas.
To find out more on the Waste Not Want Fund or to apply visit: Waste Not Want Not Fund | Manawatū District Council (mdc.govt.nz)
Indie Stickle enjoying yogurt made at Ruahine Manchester Kindergarten.