Sustainability expert recycles knowledge

Bayfair Shopping Centre manager Steve Ellingford is recycling his sustainability knowledge – with Aquinas College.

Steve is one of seven Bay of Plenty sustainability experts who are sharing their knowledge and expertise by coaching a high school green team in this year's Enviro Challenge competition. The unique education-for-sustainability event involves student teams from high schools throughout the Bay of Plenty competing to become regional sustainability champions.

School green teams are coached to undertake a sustainability review of the school and find solutions for improving the school's environmental performance. Being a shopping centre manager Steve is able to provide guidance for the students in the competition's environmental challenges including building design, energy efficiency, waste minimization, carbon measurement and sustainable travel.

According to Steve its a great way to spread sustainability benefits:

"High Schools are a great environment in which to learn and implement sustainability basics like energy efficiency and waste minimization – something we've been working on for a number of years at Bayfair Shopping Centre. We've found that the environmental, social and economic benefits are real and valuable."

The Enviro Challenge competition takes place on April 17 at Papamoa College, which has some of New Zealand's highest rated sustainable school buildings. Student teams will be involved in a wide array of entertaining and educational activities including a debate about growing the Bay of Plenty region sustainably, with students representing local stakeholders.

The participating schools and sustainability experts are:

Papamoa College Gavin Cherrie

Lakes High School Justin Ford-Robertson

Tauranga Girls' College Jo Wills

Western Heights High School Eldad Collins & Kimberley Roberston

Aquinas College Steve Ellingford

Te Puke High School Julia Baker

Katikati College Katie Franks

Whakatane High School Marcus Baker

ends

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