Te Ipukarea Society: Tere Apii‘anga school competition inspires young minds to reduce plastic

Apii Nikao winners Julianne Teriki, Peiranga Ponia, Tania Herrmann and Azalea - Rose Vaine Keu. TIS/26090414 During the three-day Tere Apii'anga learning journey, students were invited to take part in an Alternatives to Plastics competition. The challenge was to identify as many alternatives to commonly used single-use plastic items as possible. Thirteen competition winners amongst all the students were selected from Nukutere College, Titikaveka College and Apii Nikao. Winning entries were chosen based on the number and diversity of alternatives suggested, as well as innovative, outside-the-box thinking and the creative use of natural resources. Each winner received a prize pack designed to encourage sustainable choices and environmental learning, featuring a TIS reusable water bottle, marine printed recyclable bags, stationary packs, reusable towels, a children's conservation storybook and marine biodiversity educational products. The students proposed a wide variety of practical alternatives, including reusable and recycled bags/old T-shirts turned into bags, kikau baskets, paper bags, steel drink bottles, bamboo, and metal straws, wooden and glass utensils, beeswax wraps, cloth nappies and cardboard planting trays. Other ideas included using leaves, rau'ara and kikau in place of plastic plates, drinking from coconut shells, and choosing reusable containers instead of plastic packaging. Titikaveka College winners, from left, Ngatamaine Teaka, Maria Grace Dashwood, Gilbert Rokotakala, Magnus Ristroph, Billy Taia. TIS/26090415 Some students also suggested replacing plastic cups, plates, labels and wrappers with paper alternatives, and using glue instead of plastic tape. Their responses demonstrated that alternatives do not always need to be expensive or complicated. In many cases, refusing plastic can mean using what is already available, choosing something reusable or returning to materials that have served Cook Islands communities for generations. One thoughtful question asked was: 'What do we think our grandparents used before plastic was made?' The question encouraged students to look to the past for solutions and to consider the knowledge held by parents, grandparents and earlier generations. Another memorable answer came from a young participant from Apii Arorangi. When asked what could be used instead of plastic, the response was simply: 'Common sense.' While the answer brought plenty of smiles, it also captured an important message. Reducing plastic pollution often begins with pausing to consider whether an item is needed, whether it can be refused, or whether a reusable or natural alternative is available. Nukutere College winners, from left, Amarah, Regina, Ngaara, Elleina and June Hosking from TIS. TIS/26090416 The competition formed part of the plastic pollution station delivered by Te Ipukarea Society during Tere Apii'anga. Through the activity, students learned how easily discarded plastics can enter streams, wetlands, lagoons and the ocean, where they may harm marine species and break down into microplastics that remain in the environment. By encouraging young people to think critically about everyday choices, the activity aimed to build confidence in students to refuse unnecessary plastic and influence decisions within their homes. Children can be powerful advocates, reminding families to carry reusable bags and bottles, avoid unnecessary packaging and consider more environmentally responsible options. Te Ipukarea Society congratulates all 13 winners and acknowledges every student who participated. The diversity of answers showed that young people care deeply about the environment and marine life and are ready to be part of the solution. We also acknowledge the funding support for the Tere Apii'anga from the German Catholic Bishops Fund (MISEREOR) and the German Government Organisation ZUG, through HEJ support NGO. The hope is that these ideas will extend beyond the classroom and into homes and communities, helping future generations make choices that protect the land, lagoon and ocean on which the people of the Cook Islands depend. Comments