To celebrate 10 years in business, CupPrint ran a cup design competition for County Clare National Schools.
The Ennis-based manufacturer, who have invested heavily in sustainable technologies such as compostable and recyclable paper cups, wanted to engage with schoolchildren and see their visions of what a recyclable paper cup should look like.
Over 30 schools from Clare entered 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes and entries were judged by local West Coast artist Carmel Doherty.
The contest was a great exercise in STEAM subjects for teachers as students had to visualise their designs in 3D using a flat, curved template. The work also counts towards Green-Schools flag efforts.
Shortlisted entrants were invite to the company’s Irish manufacturing plant where Pat Breen TD, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection awarded prizes along with CupPrint founder Terry Fox
Pupils from Knockanean National School, Kilkishen NS, Scoil Réalt na Mara Kilkee, Ennis National School, Toonagh NS and St. Senan’s Shannon made the shortlist.
5th class student Aoife Horan of Knockanean NS had the winning design. 2nd place was to Amy Neville of Kilkishen, and 3rd to Mya Sheelin of Scoil Réalt na Mara Kilkee.
Ennis National School went the extra mile and made 3D cups using all organic materials such as corn starch glue. As CupPrint value and pride themselves on sustainable innovation they awarded Hannah Dudek of Ennis National School’s 3rd class a special innovation prize for the extra efforts made.
Student finalists had a factory tour and, as CupPrint can turn short runs of paper cups around extremely fast, the contest winner saw her cups coming off the press! After that they were treated to ice cream and a special ‘cup’ cake.