Environment is top priority for business-savvy students

April 15, 2019

Eco Panda is doing its bit to save the ocean with its bamboo straws.

Teenage entrepreneurs at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools have put environmentally-friendly products at the heart of their businesses.

As part of this year’s Young Enterprise scheme, Sixth Form students have set up two businesses with an extra focus on safeguarding the earth.

Eco Panda, led by Managing Director, Tom, is doing its bit to protect the ocean by selling bamboo straws.

“Our aim is to replace plastic straws which are damaging our oceans and wildlife,” said Tom.

“Bamboo straws are highly reusable. One thing that plastic straws and paper straws have in common is that they are thrown away after just one use.”

And another business, called Qube, led by Amelia, is producing sustainable photo frames made out of medium-density fibreboard.

“We are developing photo frames from recyclable wood and we are aiming for a more sustainable future within in our own homes,” she said.

Each group contains a mix of A level students from Monmouth School for Boys and Monmouth School for Girls.

The two businesses will be hoping to impress the judges at the Newport & Monmouthshire regional Young Enterprise final on 2nd May.

Last year, My Slides, formed by A level students at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, won three top titles for Wales and reached the UK finals in London.

The students were later filmed by a BBC Wales TV crew and quizzed Lord Sugar before having a private audience with two winners of The Apprentice, Alana Spencer and Mark Wright.

Another company from Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, called Firebit, won the best company report award at the regional final.

Young Enterprise aims to give young people the life skills, knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in the changing world of work.

For more details about the students’ environmentally-friendly products, please e-mail Eco Panda on ecopandaye@gmail.com or Qube on qubeyoungenterprise@gmail.com

Qube, led by Amelia (second left), with its sustainable photo frames.