More than 100 Bay of Plenty students are geared to compete in a sustainability battle next week at Papamoa College.

Enviro Challenge Competition school team coach of Aquinas College, Steve Ellingford with Bayfair's recycling system.

Seven Bay schools each have 10 to 15 students battling for the Enviro Challenge Competition 2013 title by using tips from their sustainability-sector working-coaches and their own innovation in eight separate challenges on Wednesday.

Afterwards each team will return to school to implement their own environmental action plan during the year with guidance from their coach.

Enviro Challenge New Zealand Charitable Trust chairman Calum Refvem says the biggest change to the year-long challenge is each school team is equipped with a coach who works in the local environmental sustainability sector.

'During the programme's first five years, we've had a paid professional give each school team a one-off visit – now the coaches will mentor their team during the year to help them with their own action plan.

'So far, we've had a really positive response from the coaches and schools – it's given students a shot in the arm of what environmental sustainability is about and what careers are available to them in the field.

'Having a non-teacher, independent outsider coming into the schools is having a very positive effect on the students' learning and these people each hold amazing expertise.”

Student teams participate in a wide array of entertaining and educational activities at the April 17 competition, including a debate on how to grow the Bay of Plenty region sustainably with a key focus this year on the Port of Tauranga and aquaculture.

'The challenges are based on real-world learning – the debate sees students represent local stakeholders including businesses, economic-focussed organisations, environmental groups, local government, the port itself and so on.”

The teams, usually made up of senior students, are led by a Year 13 pupil who was selected as an ambassador in Year 12 and completed a leadership course.

'This person leads their school's green team to implement changes within their school for their action plan (with a four-year cycle).

'This programme lets the students have real ownership of these plans – it's their choice what to do and how to do it and they're implementing it.”

Bayfair Shopping Centre manager Steve Ellingford is recycling his sustainability knowledge with Aquinas College.

Steve is able to provide guidance for the students in the competition's environmental challenges, including building design, energy efficiency, waste minimisation, carbon measurement and sustainable travel.

Steve says it is a great way to spread sustainability benefits.

"High Schools are a great environment in which to learn and implement sustainability basics like energy efficiency and waste minimisation – something we've been working on for a number of years at Bayfair Shopping Centre.

'We've found that the environmental, social and economic benefits are real and valuable."

The Enviro Challenge competition takes place on April 17 at Papamoa College.

Participating schools and sustainability experts:

Papamoa College, with energy and industrial environmentalist Gavin Cherrie.

Lakes High School, with Rotorua carbon counting specialist Justin Ford-Robertson.

Tauranga Girls' College, with Sustainable Business Network Bay of Plenty former CEO Jo Wills.

Aquinas College, with Bayfair Shopping Centre manager Steve Ellingford

Western Heights High School, with Eldad Collins – who runs Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter & Kimberley Roberston, an environmental consultant.

Katikati College, with Enviro State graduate intern Katie Franks.

Te Puke High School, with environmental consultant Julia Baker.

Whakatane High School, with Marcus Baker – who runs a community recycling centre.