Natural Habitats Creating Green PETS in Schools

Natural Habitats Creating Green PETS in Schools
Stanmore Bay Primary School in Whangaparaoa will be the pilot school for the first sustainable Green Wall project completed in New Zealand. Affectionately named Green PETS, the Green Wall is made from recycled plastic polyethylene terephthalate bottles. The plants grow in a ‘top secret’ Natural Habitat nutrient media mix, with its own irrigation system.

Graham Cleary said, “It’s a simplistic idea, the community working together to collect, recycle and build a sustainable garden in the vertical plane. We have created a habitat for small animals and insects while instilling intrinsic environmental values in our next generation. Our aim is to reduce our carbon footprint using everyday items to create a beautiful edifice”.

The projects’ components shall be sourced, constructed, planted and installed at the school. The children, teachers, parents and whanau will be actively involved in the process from planning, collecting and recycling the plastic bottles, to the construction and planting of the wall through including the installation.

The school children will collect the plastic drinking PET bottles for recycling and participate in the construction of the wall with adult assistance.

The PET green wall project will promote education in:

• Recycling
• Sustainability
• Horticultural practices
• The environment
• New Zealand native plant species
• Creating eco systems and food sources for plants, insects and birdlife

...as well as working collaboratively with the community on a community based project. We also aim for this school to be proud of their achievements of being the first to fully construct this recycled green technology in New Zealand.

The PET Bottle Greenwall Project was developed from an idea Mark Paul, Australia’s own Green Wall guru and founder of The Greenwall Company, had while working with his Brazilian licensee Bruno Resendez de Silva in schools in the Favellas in Rio de Janeiro. The outcomes there were dramatic with long lasting impact for the residence of this very hostile urban environment.

Why Natural Habitat’s are promoting Green PETS:

• Creating a home and food source for birds and bees through specific plant selection
• Young people and their families are encouraged to think about the topical matter of their environment, and sustainability
• A proven concept that involves young children nationwide in creating a living legacy
• It’s an investment in educating and inspiring young people about their environmental responsibility
• A common household waste item is productively recycled
• Kids are taught basic skills in horticulture, craftwork, and team play
• Job creation, and work skills for aspiring young horticulturists / landscapers

Green Walls Background:

Since storming into public view in Paris in the early 2000s, Greenwalls have become one of the most talked about and coolest pieces of architecture ever since, and they are good for the environment.

Green Walls (also known as Living Walls, Green Facades, Bio Walls or Vertical Vegetation) are an innovative way of greening a vertical surface - they are magnificent to look at, have health benefits, contribute towards a company’s green star rating. They make a bold visual statement, which assists companies in becoming a leader in sustainability.

Natural Habitats (NZ) and Mark Paul’s The Greenwall Company (Australia) have been the leading innovators and installers of these beautiful pieces of functional art in the Southern Hemisphere. Leading corporates in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney have snapped them up because of the branding association of Green Walls to the exemplary ideals they aspire to. Local installations include Britomart, Westpac, Goodman and Google to name but a few.

Natural Habitats is New Zealand’s largest and leading integrated landscape company. They are renowned for the quality of their work and recognized for their award winning landscape design, build and care. In New Zealand, Natural Habitats are at the forefront of the movement towards green technology in architecture. To find out more visit www.naturalhabitats.co.nz.

ENDS

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