At Curro Bryanston Preschool, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s becoming a daily practice as the school has recently taken its first active steps toward eco-conscious learning by launching a simple yet impactful initiative, repurposing brown paper delivery bags into durable, eco-friendly art paper.

With online grocery deliveries now a staple in many households, packaging waste is on the rise, particularly from services like 60/60, Dash, and Pick n Pay.

Instead of discarding this growing mountain of brown paper bags, Curro Bryanston saw an opportunity to transform it into a learning tool.

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Partnering with parents and guided by the school’s operational head, Bianca Robbetze, the school began collecting the bags and cutting them into sheets for classroom use.

The result? A beautiful, earth-toned alternative to traditional art paper that aligns perfectly with the Curiosity Approach used at the preschool.

“The natural texture and strength of the paper make it perfect for painting, folding, and other hands-on activities,” said Robbetze, who also helped fine-tune the process by mastering the use of a guillotine cutter. “It’s not only about art; these activities help develop essential fine motor skills.”

While there was some early hesitation about using delivery packaging in a private education setting, the response from parents has been overwhelmingly positive.

Bag donations now arrive daily at drop-off, a sign that the parent community fully supports this eco-friendly shift.

The school’s executive head, Angie Bezuidenhout, said, “This project has taught us that sustainability doesn’t require grand gestures, just a change in perspective. We’re proud to be nurturing a culture of environmental awareness in our young learners. It’s a small step for the classroom, but a giant leap in shaping future change makers.”

More than a resource-saving measure, the initiative has sparked wider conversations among staff and parents about how the school can deepen its commitment to sustainability.

Teachers are now exploring new ways to reduce waste and incorporate environmental education into everyday learning.

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