You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Ambassador Egbert
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Hello everyone, tēnā koutou,
I am Egbert the LEARNZ ambassador. I go on all the trips with Andrew and help look after the other ambassadors from your schools.
I really love LEARNZ field trips about New Zealand's special places. I am looking forward to exploring Redvale Landfill and Energy Park with you, and finding out how a modern landfill operates within the natural environment.
Best,
Egbert
Monday 19 March
Tēnā koutou,
Well here we are in Albany on Auckland's North Shore. It has been fun getting to know the other ambassadors for this field trip; Buzzbee from Spring Creek School and Spud from St Heliers School. We have had some good laughs along the way from Kerikeri to Auckland today.
I'm sure there will be more good times ahead this week as we learn the ins and outs of Redvale Energy Park and Landfill. Can't wait!
Best,
Egbert
Tuesday 20 March
Tēnā koutou,
Today we had a good look around Redvale Landfill, and we even got to look at a transfer station near Albany. A transfer station is a place where people can bring their recyclables, but it is also a place where a lot of household rubbish goes before it is taken to the landfill.
It was interesting as I watched a truck being loaded up with waste. Some of the waste had items that could have being recycled. It made me think carefully about the everyday decisions we make at home when we throw something in the bin. Thinking about where our waste goes, and what is waste in the first place, may help us make better decisions.
Best,
Egbert
Wednesday 21 March
Tēnā koutou
Today I learned another meaning for the word flare. I always knew a flare as a small device that produces a bright flame – Andrew has one on his boat for emergencies. The other flare I know of is a type of long pant Andrew’s mum used to wear in the 1970s.
Anyway. The flare I learned about today is the flare that burns off any landfill gas that is not used by the generators. The flare heats up to over 700 degrees, which is hot enough to make sure any dangerous gas is destroyed and not released into the air. 700 degrees is hot, around four times the temperature my oven gets to when I bake muffins.
Best,
Egbert
Thursday 22 March
Tēnā koutou
Well, this week has quite simply been a load of rubbish! But seriously, this field trip has been a real eye opener - for both eyes! It has been great to see all the positive benefits you can get out of having a landfill. I am impressed with how the landfill is managed so there is no harm to the environment.
It has been a special learning experience. I hope you have enjoyed the field trip as much as I have.
Best,
Egbert
Egbert at Kate Valley Landfill in Waipara, North Canterbury, in 2017. Image: LEARNZ.
Monday. For a lot of us, the journey of our rubbish all starts here, putting it into either a rubbish bag or a recycling container. Image: LEARNZ.
Tuesday. Egbert is outside the transfer station in Albany. Image: LEARNZ.
Wednesday. Egbert is near the flares that burn off any excess landfill gas not used by the generators as fuel. Image: LEARNZ.
Thursday. Egbert got up close and personal with the vegetable he is closely related to. Image: LEARNZ.