Laingholm kindy bans plastic bags
An Auckland kindergarten is putting the environment first by banning the use of plastic bags.
Laingholm Kindergarten in West Auckland banned the use of single-use plastic bags last year and hoped other kindergartens would follow.
Head teacher Janice Dawson said they were one of a very few kindergartens in Auckland to adopt the no-plastic bag policy.
Parents and teachers found ways to use alternative products, like reusable bags to pack dirty and wet clothes children took home, she said.
‘‘We have been teaching, learning and sharing effective ways to keep our environment beautiful.
‘‘This includes not only learning about plastic bags but all rubbish in our environment, how we can recycle, reuse, compost, and organise an annual beach clean,’’ Dawson said.
A 400-picture petition was also presented to local MP Deborah Russell, who was chairwoman of the environmental select committee, on February 23.
Pictures included drawings of sick turtles, birds and fish, and some rainbows and unicorns which students took weeks to prepare. Russell was expected to present it to Parliament yesterday.
Dawson said the issue was important to the children. ‘‘They want to save the turtles, birds and fish and our oceans.’’