Manurewa High School's rollout of Critical. Cleanstone as replacement classroom table tops is in full swing. With the recent launch of the school's newly renovated science block fit-out, Critical. has proven it can elegantly extend the life of Aotearoa's approximately 165,000 school desks for future generations.
With most to all of Critical.'s classroom tabletops made in laminated MDF, wear and tear through everyday use can chip the veneer layer and strip the edge banding, exposing the fibreboard underneath. When that happens, moisture and liquid can swell up the table causing mold to grow over time. As a result, the entire unit, including the metal legs, is discarded into landfill.
With Cleanstone being made from a solid block of 100 percent Aotearoa recycled plastics, it's durable, fully waterproof and highly impact resistant. Made from discarded plastic waste from ocean plastics to commercial waste to post-consumer plastic packaging, there's no veneer layer or edging, and it's simple to maintain. The surface can be re-sanded or buffed every seven years or as required. At the end of a generation of use, Cleanstone desktops can be returned to be recycled into new Cleanstone.
Manurewa Highschool replaced the laminate table tops with Cleanstone and screw fixed it onto existing desk frames they had resprayed black. The school selected a range of Cleanstone mixes that included Forest, Marble, Kererū, Clear, and a custom Pika mix to compliment the natural tones of their science block interior. Critical. co-founder Rui Peng said the result was stunning.
"I have to thank Pete Jones for his incredible vision of sustainability and innovation, as well as his care and attention in listening to what matters to ākonga and making it happen. We were thrilled to be a small part of his wonderful kaupapa," said Peng.
Peng added that he would share more about the story behind each Cleanstone tabletop Manurewa Highschool selected at a later date. He said that principals looking to refit school areas or replace classroom furniture should consider replacing table tops with Cleanstone.
