The students who helped spearhead Hawke’s Bay sustainability project

E wana ake – strong roots, flourishing shoots.

Hosting interns is one way 3R makes sure that we’re nourishing the future flourishing shoots of our industry and community.

In the summer of 2021-2022 we hosted two student interns, Olivia Cotter (University of Waikato) and Sara Dooney (University of Canterbury) as part of our collaboration with Sustainable is Attainable Hawke’s Bay.

Olivia and Sara worked alongside our Materials Innovation Manager Natalie Martin investigating opportunities to develop high-value by-products from waste. They focussed on waste from the region’s primary industry, like pulps from processed fruit and vegetables, plastic wrap, and tanalised timber.

At the end of the they project they resented their findings back to local businesses. Recently we caught up with Olivia and Sara:

What have you been up to since your internship with 3R?

Olivia: I graduated in 2022 with a BSc in Earth Science and minor in Environmental Science. I moved to Tauranga to work at CMW Geosciences as an Engineering Geologist and have since joined Tauranga City Council as their GIS Graduate and absolutely loving it!

Sara: I have completed my Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Chemical and Process Engineering, with a minor in Bioprocess Engineering. I then began working at Beca, based in Hastings, as part of their industrial team, working mainly in food and beverage production, three waters, and waste minimisation industries as a Process Engineer.

What memory stands out most about your time with us?

Olivia: One thing I remember finding so interesting was when we went to a plastic recycling facility, and learned how they reused plastic, including turning yellow plastics into the yellow caps for waratahs!

Sara: What stood out most was the opportunity we had to visit different production plants across Hawke’s Bay. Being able to see the process engineering behind the production of well-known products confirmed to me I was studying the correct degree.

Another memory that stands out was working with the 3R team. Being part of a team, which is so passionate about waste minimisation was inspirational. I also appreciate the way everyone took time to answer our questions and ensure we had a good understanding of the business.

How do you think your internship here helped prepare you for your career?

Olivia: I think the internship best helped with exposing me to another side of my degree I didn’t know I could do. It showed me how versatile my degree really would be.

Sara: Looking for alternative solutions for waste products from the food and beverage production industry taught me valuable research skills, and a fair bit of perseverance! Having over 20 business involved in the programme helped me improve my communication and presentations skill which have been very beneficial to my career.

Overall, the Sustainable is Attainable Hawke’s Bay project and 3R introduced me to the industries I now work in, and the internship taught me a wide range of skills that I have used both in the completion of my studies and my career.