Glendowie Kindergarten is currently working towards achieving the Green-gold Enviroschool Award. One of our goals for 2018 is to reduce the number of single-use plastic bags that we use in the kindergarten. We also wanted to encourage our parents to think about making a more sustainable choice and organised a reusable produce bag fundraiser.

We began this project by encouraging our tamariki to draw on a large piece of white fabric with permanent markers. One of our ex-kindergarten parents, Kimberly Kingan, used the material to create the top edge of some of the produce bags. Kimberly later visited the kindergarten and brought her sewing machine which encouraged our tamariki to sew their small bags.

As part of the fundraiser, the bags were sold in sets of three for $13 or 2 sets for $25. We had an excellent response to this initiative and sold 34 sets of bags.

If you’re interested in other green initiatives, Kimberly has started a business with a couple of friends called “Let’s Make it Green” and is very passionate about promoting sustainable choices. Head over to her Facebook page to find out more.

Carolyn Wanden, Head Teacher – Glendowie Kindergarten