Through the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) Small Grants Programme, GROW Aitutaki is leading a youth-driven initiative, Plastic Patrol – Land to Lagoon, to monitor and reduce single-use plastic waste in Aitutaki.
The project begins in schools through structured waste audits to better understand what types of rubbish are being generated, particularly single-use plastics. Recent social media posts from Araura Primary School showed Year 6 students in action, sorting and counting their school’s waste, recording their findings, and identifying reusable and single-use items. The activity helps students understand how waste produced on land can affect our lagoon and marine environment.
The data gathered in schools will provide a baseline before monitoring expands into the wider community. Students will analyse their results and explore practical alternatives to reduce single-use plastic in their everyday environments.
Beyond reducing plastic waste, the programme also builds skills in data collection, critical thinking and problem solving. By learning how to present their findings and recommendations, young people are developing the confidence and knowledge to take an active role in caring for their island’s environment.
About the Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP)
The Pacific Ocean Litter Project (POLP) aims to reduce the amount of single-use plastics ending up as marine litter in Pacific coastal environments. In the Cook Islands, the project supports awareness, community action and better understanding of plastic waste to help protect our lagoon and marine biodiversity.
