National Recycling Week (NRW) is one of Planet Ark’s flagship campaigns and every year aims to educate and empower people to do the right thing when they’re at the bin.
The Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) students’ inventions works by squashing the poppers down, emptying the poppers of leftover liquids which can cause bins to smell, while also separating any straws from the popular fruit juice bottles.
The invention was recently entered into the Interschool Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, and students received a Certificate of Excellence for their innovative invention.
St Mary of the Cross Primary School Principal Matthew Beacroft said the team of students they’ve named the ‘Poppers Patrol’ have provided a solution to a very sticky problem.
“With poppers a lunch box favourite on our school grounds, the bins can get pretty smelly and sticky,” he said.
“This invention not only helps keep our school bins clean and pest free, but also promotes recycling and prevents straws and plastics from ending up in our oceans where they can harm sea life.
“Our students are integrally aware of their environment and connected to all of creation, and it brings me great pride to see my students come up with solutions to some of the world’s largest issues.”
Principal Beacroft added recycling is not only important it is also rewarding for his students.
“Through the recycling of poppers our students aim to save up to purchase a school pizza oven,” he said.
To help St Mary of the Cross Primary School reach their pizza oven goal, you can donate to their school Containers for Change account using Scheme ID: C10688662 within the app, or search St Mary of the Cross Primary School on the Containers for Change website if you'd like to donate to their fundraiser.
About National Recycling Week:
Back since recycling bins were just a small black tub, Planet Ark has been helping Australians recycle right. National Recycling Week (NRW) is one of Planet Ark’s flagship campaigns and every year aims to educate and empower people to do the right thing when they’re at the bin.
Since the campaign was established in 1996, Planet Ark have held it every year during the second week of November.