The Tauranga based Paper4Trees programme is being extended to more North Island schools with help from the government's Waste Minimisation Fund.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is happy the Paper4Trees programme has proved successful enough in the Bay of Plenty for it to be extended to other parts of the North Island.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says the programme has proved successful and so it is logical that it be extended.

'The Paper4Trees programme, run by the Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust, already provides more than 2000 schools and kindergartens around New Zealand with resources and information to recycle the paper they use,” says Simon.

'The programme rewards them with native trees, grasses or flax for their recycling efforts.

'EERST will get nearly $180,000 from the WMF to introduce the Paper4Trees programme into half of the remaining 610 North Island schools and early childhood centres that are not yet involved.

'On average 70 per cent of school waste is paper and cardboard, so this project can significantly reduce waste to landfill from this sector.

'The trust's programme received a green ribbon award in the ‘Community Action for the Environment' category because of the amount of paper recycled and for raising awareness of recycling.

'This funding will see more schools benefit from this programme.”

As part of the programme, EERST visits each school, explains the programme and provides recycling bins, information and promotional material and then provides ongoing assistance through a toll free number and website.

Schools are rewarded for every two cubic metres of paper or cardboard recycled.