Brown paper, bright ideas: Curro preschools go sustainable

22 July 2025

At Curro Bryanston, Fourways and Chartwell Preschools, young learners are gaining early exposure to sustainability through a hands-on classroom initiative that reimagines household waste as creative resource.

 

 

Turning delivery bags into classroom tools

In Term 2, the schools launched a simple yet effective idea: collecting brown paper delivery bags from families and repurposing them as art paper. With food delivery packaging becoming a common part of household waste, the schools saw an opportunity to reduce consumption and reuse what was already available.

The result is a continuous supply of thick, earth-toned paper used in daily activities such as painting, tearing, cutting and folding. These tasks help develop fine motor skills and align with the Curiosity Approach implemented on the Bryanston and Fourways campuses.

 

Bianca Robbetze leads the way

This project gained traction quickly, thanks in part to Bianca Robbetze, who perfected the use of a guillotine cutter to prepare the bags for classroom use. Her efforts, along with team support, ensured the initiative became more than a short-term trial.

‘The bags are strong enough for wet paint and hold up to eager little hands,’ said Bianca. ‘They’ve become a part of our daily rhythm.’

 

Parents back the initiative

Some initial hesitation arose over how parents would respond to repurposed materials in a private-school setting. Those concerns were quickly put to rest.

‘We were thrilled by the parent response,’ said Executive Head Angie Bezuidenhout. ‘Families began donating bags daily, and the support has been consistent ever since.’

 

 

Sustainability beyond the art room

The success of this initiative has sparked broader conversations about sustainability across the school day. Teachers are now actively exploring other ways to reuse classroom materials and reduce unnecessary waste.

‘This project has taught us that sustainability doesn’t require grand gestures, just a change in perspective,’ said Angie. ‘We’re proud to be growing a culture of environmental awareness in our schools. It’s a small step for the classroom, but a giant leap in shaping future change makers.’

 

Building habits early

The initiative continues to evolve with the support of staff and parents. By integrating environmentally responsible habits into early learning, these schools are building a foundation that could shape learners’ behaviour for years to come.

Curro Bryanston, Fourways and Chartwell are showing that environmental action doesn’t have to start with policy. It can begin with something as small – and effective – as a used delivery bag.