On Thursday 24 July, Stratford district Mayor Neil Volzke congratulated Huiakama School for winning first prize in the Taranaki Milk Top Challenge, presenting excited students with their trophy at a special school assembly.
The regional Milk Top Challenge saw 25 schools from South Taranaki, Stratford, and New Plymouth take part in a fun, hands-on effort to raise awareness about recycling and reduce plastic waste.
The challenge encouraged students to collect milk bottle tops; a commonly overlooked item that can contaminate kerbside recycling and end up in landfill. By taking part, tamariki learned about the environmental impact of small plastics and how even minor changes in behaviour can make a big difference.
Thanks to their combined efforts, 360 kilograms of plastic have been diverted from landfill. The collected tops will be picked up by Egmont Refuse and Recycling for processing, giving the material a second life. Egmont Refuse and Recycling will continue to accept milk tops free of charge, 24/7, at 12 Scott Street, Hāwera.
To recognise their achievements, each district celebrated their top-performing schools, with Huiakama School collecting an impressive 412 tops per student taking out the overall regional win.
Thanks to the enthusiastic response from schools, whānau, and the wider community, South Taranaki District Council, New Plymouth District Council, and Stratford District Council are excited to confirm that the Milk Top Challenge will become an annual event. Watch this space!
District Winners:
Stratford District
🥇 Huiakama School – 412 tops per student
🥈 Stratford Community Childcare Centre – 45 tops per student
🥉 Avon Kindergarten – 44 tops per student
New Plymouth District
🥇 Waitara Central School – 96 tops per student
🥈 Waitara East School – 80 tops per student
🥉 St Joseph’s School Waitara – 72 tops per student
South Taranaki District
🥇 Manaia Primary School – 140 tops per student
🥈 Normanby Primary School – 71 tops per student
🥉 St Joseph’s Hawera – 65 tops per student
