Trash to treasure workshop for Bayfair children

Kids get stuck into the 'trash to treasure' workshop run by Sustainable Coastlines at Bayfair. Photo/Andrew Warner

A "trash to treasure" workshop for children at Bayfair on Saturday reinforced the importance of recycling in protecting the region's beaches.

Rubbish collected from New Zealand beaches was brought along for children to make artwork while they learned about the dangers of waste getting into the ocean.

Bayfair marketing manager Kylie McGregor said the day was a success with more than 200 children taking part.

"We commissioned Sustainable Coastlines to come in because our backyard is the beach," she said. Sustainable Coastlines volunteers brought in hundreds of bottle caps that had been picked up along the coast and the children used them to create pictures by gluing them onto pieces of wood.

Sustainable Coastlines creative projects manager Chris Cochrane said the charity was trying to teach the younger generation about the positive impacts of recycling.

"In school, picking up rubbish is a punishment ... One of our biggest challenges is trying to teach them, in a fun way, the effect it has on marine life."

Last year Bayfair recycled 279,000kg of cardboard and paper (the weight of a small aeroplane) and 33,000kg of plastic, glass and metal.

It also diverted 66,000kg of organic waste away from landfills.