The Coles and Planet Ark Sustainable Schools Competition is back for a second year with $100,000 worth of grants up for grabs to help fund sustainability projects in Australian schools and preschools.

The competition will once again award 20 schools $5000 each to give students the chance to turn their innovative sustainability ideas into action.

Eligible schools and preschools can apply from now until 30 September via the Coles website, with the winners to be announced during Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week (10 to 16 November), for which Coles is the major sponsor for the fourth consecutive year.

Last year’s competition attracted more than 150 entries from schools across Australia.

Coles Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer Anna Croft says she hopes for even more applications, as the competition returns for a second year.

“With $100,000 in funding available again this year, the Coles & Planet Ark Sustainable Schools Competition is a chance for young Aussies to turn their bold sustainability ideas into reality,” she says. 

“After the incredible projects we saw in last year’s competition, we can’t wait to see what further innovative ideas emerge in 2025.”

Planet Ark CEO Adam Culley says the organisation is thrilled to once again join forces with Coles to drive sustainability in Australian schools, following the success of last year’s competition.

“By nurturing a deep connection to the environment from an early age, we’re empowering children to become lifelong waste warriors and climate champions,” he says.

“It’s always inspiring to see how passionately students engage with sustainability, and we encourage all schools and preschools to get involved in this fantastic initiative as part of National Recycling Week’s call to ‘Join the Cycle.’”

Schools are invited to showcase what they want to achieve by submitting an overview of their initiative that highlights its environmental impact and the transformative learning opportunities it will have within their school community.

Standout entries will be selected for their visionary ideas, real-world benefits, and the potential to have lasting, sustainable change for their school communities.