Coles and Planet Ark have awarded 20 Australian schools a share in $100,000 to help fund sustainability initiatives.
As part of the inaugural Coles & Planet Ark Sustainable Schools Competition, 20 schools from across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia have been recognised for their commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment. They will each receive $5000 to drive sustainability at their school.
From the construction of a wheelchair accessible edible garden to a sewing club that combats fast fashion, and a sustainable habitat to help save a rare and endangered butterfly, the competition aims to empower students to take action and help create a more sustainable future.
With more than 160 applications received throughout the competition, Coles Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer Anna Croft says she was impressed by the broad range of initiatives and high standard of applications from schools across the country.
“The quality of projects submitted by students and teachers in the inaugural Coles & Planet Ark Sustainable Schools competition was extraordinary and further demonstrated the incredible passion that young people have for protecting our planet,” she says.
“Whether it’s finding a solution for fast fashion, working to protect a threatened species or a native-Australian plant, to developing a school-wide composting and recycling system, it’s clear that this next generation is ready and willing to make a real impact.
“We’re proud to work alongside our partner Planet Ark to help create a more sustainable future, one school at a time.”
Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling says the organisation is pleased to partner with Coles to encourage more Aussie students to help improve their school’s sustainability report card.
“This competition is an excellent way to engage the next generation in sustainability. The prize of $5000 will make a tangible difference to these environmental initiatives, while educating students and empowering them to feel part of the solution,” she says.
“We were incredibly impressed by the quality of the entries in this first year of the competition and incredibly proud of the students and teachers who have come up with these brilliant plans to improve the environment around them and the community they live in.”