The Ministry for the Environment encourages all New Zealanders to reduce our levels of waste by reducing, reusing and recycling. Year 7 and 8 Rotorua students had the opportunity to investigate just how much waste they produce in a day. About 30 youth participated in the Drones and coding Environmental workshop organised by PTC Trust in collaboration with Noel Leeming consultant -Kallaway Abbot.

Students were shown how to code and fly the drones. They then utilised the drones to assess how much plastic can be found in bins and around the school. This excited and enthused group were very keen to do their part and took the drones across the compound to discover what was out there. It was interesting to discover plastic wrappers, sandwich bags, cutlery as well as see just how much plastic we generate before lunchtime.

The Ministry outlines 5 ways that we can all prevent waste.

They include:

1. Reducing single- use plastics such as straws, sandwich bags, plastic cutlery and instead of using reusable water bottles, shopping bags and lunch containers. Buy items with the least packaging

2. Buying items with the least amount of packaging. Forget about the presentation, buy instead minimal packaged items such as fruit and veges.

3. Buying in bulk especially if there are bulk bins in stores - helps us all become waste-free.

4. Thinking twice before we buy something new. Can we reuse items at homes or even re-cycle?

5. Buying recyclable items where possible.