Empowering Students Through Sustainable Practices: A Hands-On Journey into Reusable Products

As an educator, one of the most rewarding aspects of my role is watching students take an idea and turn it into something meaningful and impactful. Recently, I had the privilege of guiding a group of KingsGate students on an inspiring journey into sustainability through our Waste Free Period Program. This program has been the first step in their sustainable menstruation journey, leading to hands-on learning and the development of new skills. I’m excited to share what these students have been up to and how they’re applying their new knowledge to create something amazing!

The Session: Inspiration to Action

I was introduced to Claire Van Dam, the Teacher in Charge of this program at KingsGate, through Auckland Council's Sustainable Schools Advisor Kylee Hanlon, who saw a Facebook post we shared about hosting sustainability sessions at schools in the district. Thanks to the enthusiasm of Claire and Kylee, I was able to visit KingsGate exactly one month later.

During the session, we discussed sustainable menstrual practices and the environmental impact of our choices, while also exploring alternative options for managing periods. We were fortunate to receive a generous donation of menstrual cups and reusable pads from Auckland Council, which we distributed to the students after the chat. Learning about these products and how easy they are to make sparked the students' creativity, inspiring them to think about repurposing materials into something useful.

After the session, three male students expressed interest in taking some pads home for their mothers, which was heartwarming and showed the impact of the conversation. But the momentum didn’t stop there. The girls, recognizing the potential to create something sustainable for themselves, decided they should start making their own reusable pads. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and what began as an idea quickly gained momentum.

The Workshopping with Sustainable Papakura: Skills and Collaboration

To bring their ideas to life, KingsGate was connected with Alida from Sustainable Papakura, a local organisation focused on promoting sustainable practices. Alida generously came in to run a workshop with the students, where they learned to make smaller pads using materials that had been donated to the school years ago that hadn’t been used just yet. They also had the opportunity to work with a dome press—something completely new to them.

What made this hands-on learning experience so valuable was that it wasn’t just about crafting something useful—it was about becoming resourceful and environmentally conscious. Alida’s guidance helped the students gain the confidence to experiment with materials they might not have considered before. For example, the girls reused old waterproof tents to create wet bags, finding another creative way to upcycle items that might otherwise have ended up in a landfill. By using zippers sourced from a local op-shop, they learned how everyday items could be repurposed into something functional and sustainable.

Conclusion

Being part of such an amazing project has been incredibly rewarding and shows the real value of this program. The students had the opportunity to be creative, making their own reusable period pads that can last 3+ years, saving money and reducing waste. They’ve also connected with local community groups and learned valuable skills like sewing, which will help them live more sustainably in the future. It’s been a pleasure working with the team at KingsGate School, and we look forward to collaborating with them again!