Grants to nurture kids’ green designs

Kiwi kids keen on keeping New Zealand environmentally sustainable are urged to apply for one of 20 $1000 grants, in an initiative aimed at coaxing school children into the Growing for Good programme.

Countdown supermarket is calling on young Kiwi gardeners, conservationists and environmental champions who want to enhance and protect Aotearoa’s environment.

To celebrate the phase out of single-use plastic carrier bags, Countdown has today announced the programme, which gives primary schools the opportunity to undertake environmental initiatives and projects led by pupils.

The announcement comes just two weeks after Countdown handed out its last single-use plastic carrier bag, two and a half months ahead of schedule.

The move has prevented more than 50 million bags entering the New Zealand waste stream since May, Countdown corporate affairs and sustainability general manager Kiri Hannifin said.

“If the letters and emails we receive are anything to go by, Kiwi kids are incredibly passionate about the environment and have heaps of great ideas about what we need to do to protect it.”

“They have such a pure view of the world, not clouded by convenience, and are also very connected to their physical environment so they really care what happens to it.”

Already there had been some amazing ideas from children who have written to Countdown during the past year, Hannifin said.

These included school beehives, planting native plants and trees, and vegetable gardens or starting an orchard.

Applications close on November 30.