NatrlTM eco-architect award inspires students to swap plastic bottled water for boxed alternatives

natrlTM box water, the UAE’s first boxed mineral water brand, has launched the natrlTM eco-architect award 2022 competition, with the vision to inspire and encourage the next generation to have a positive impact on the environment. The awards were introduced in support of the Ministry of Education’s sustainability plan and leading private schools, emphasising green issues as part of lessons.
For the first iteration of the awards, nartlTM has partnered with the Repton Family of Schools in the UAE, encouraging students to build a better tomorrow across two categories: Junior natrlTM eco-architect award (5-9 years) and Senior natrlTM eco-architect award (10-16 years).
Designed to inspire the youth to be a driving force for a sustainable future, Reptonians will repurpose used natrlTM water boxes and empty water bladders to create fun, practical and impactful designs under the theme of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” natrlTM has partnered with Twinkl, the international online educational publishing house, to develop a bespoke lesson plan around the three “Rs”, which will be rolled out at all Repton schools in the UAE, encouraging students to be part of the change and help shape the future.
A total of 275 students will compete individually or in teams of up to three across the Junior and Senior categories. Participants will also attain valuable insights into their creative directions through monthly check-ins and mentorship sessions with sustainable leaders in the UAE. Students will showcase their eco-friendly creative designs during a show-and-tell session on-campus in January 2023. Five finalists will be shortlisted from each category and will be invited to attend the awards ceremony in February 2023, where the winners will be announced.
James Mudie, CEO of natrlTM box water, said, “We created the natrlTM eco-architect awards to inspire children to not just be a part of the change, but to create it, design it and live it. Children hold the answer to unlocking the world’s potential in the ongoing battle against the destruction of the planet. By encouraging them to compete in a safe environment, we empower them to be a driving force to save our planet and shift away from the belief that someone else will do it.”
natrlTM box water, with the mission to unlock children’s full potential, is offering the winners of the Senior and Junior natrlTM eco-architect awards a substantial scholarship prize of AED 10,000 per category towards students’ academic development or post-16 education. Winners of the awards will also receive an AED 1,000 natrlTM gift voucher, along with a relaxing family weekend stay for four at Rotana Hotels & Resorts, vouchers from Revolution Cycles Dubai, an internship opportunity with One Moto Electric Vehicles, an exclusive feature on eco-lifestyle magazine – The Ethicallist, and bragging rights until the next academic year.
Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO of Rotana, added, “We are delighted to be supporting the natrlTM eco-architect awards as it aims to instil eco-conscious habits and raise awareness of sustainability to children. At Rotana, we strive to continue working with like-minded entities such as natrlTM and the Repton Family of Schools in the UAE to shed light on the impact of sustainable practices on our planet and engage with young minds, helping shape the eco-warriors of tomorrow.”
David Cook, Chief Education Officer of Excella and Headmaster of Repton School Dubai, said, “At our Repton schools in the UAE, we pride ourselves in providing our pupils with real-world learning scenarios in a safe environment. The natrlTM eco-architect awards promise to be a fun and engaging opportunity, but more importantly, a positive educational learning experience, that is sure to widen our pupils’ understanding of the effects of climate change, and the changes we can all make to support sustainability and reduce waste. I look forward to seeing our pupils’ innovative and creative concepts come to life.”
Along with Cook, the panel of judges is made up of some of the UAE’s leaders in sustainability, including James Mudie, CEO of natrlTM box water, Adam Ridgeway, CEO of One Moto, Anthea Ayache, Founder of The Ethicalist Magazine and Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group.
natrlTM box water is packaged in 10-litre paper-based boxes with recyclable bladders. Since its launch this year, it has saved over 522kg of plastic, equivalent to 26,100 1-litre plastic water bottles. The UAE’s first boxed water brand offers 100 percent premium Artesian mineral water from the cleanest source in the world – New Zealand. With a perfect 7.5pH level, it has zero chemical treatments and no flouride, making it the water brand of choice for a healthy lifestyle. Low in sodium and BPA free, natrlTM box water is the perfectly balanced drinking water for the whole family, including infants.