2025.12.22
CBT promotes Hydroponic Lettuce Planting Activity at a School in Santa Cruz do Sul
On October 16th China Brasil Tabacos (CBT), through its corporate volunteer group CBT do Bem, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Foundation of Santa Cruz do Sul (Fupasc), carried out the Sustainable School Project at Dona Leopoldina Municipal Elementary School in Santa Cruz do Sul. The initiative is part of the company’s Green Commitment – Transforming the Future Program, which integrates CBT’s external environmental agenda and reinforces its commitment to sustainability and community engagement.
The practical and educational activity involved planting hydroponic lettuce, with 15 fourth-grade students. PET bottles were reused as planting containers for the lettuce, which will be cared for by the students, presented at the school’s internal project fair on Saturday, October 18, and later taken home.
Marina Trentin Pereira, Administrative Analyst and member of CBT’s Sustainability Team, organized the activity and explained that the idea came from the desire to show, in a simple and practical way, that it is possible to reuse materials and grow food even in small spaces.
“The goal was to inspire children to take an interest in sustainability and caring for the environment, using something accessible like a PET bottle to plant and observe the growth of lettuce,” she said.
To mark the activity and the project, a commemorative plaque was installed at the school.
An Experience in Caring
The school’s principal, Daniela Beatriz Henckes, emphasized that the activity helped students develop a sense of individual care and responsibility toward plants.
“They experience care and contact with the soil here at school. It’s a journey to be built, as environmental issues are always a relevant topic for discussion — developing actions and encouraging their participation. It was certainly an experience they will never forget.”
Daniela also highlighted that the school is a pioneer in its partnership with Fupasc, now entering its third year of activities.
Augusto Bohrer, Sustainability Analyst at Fupasc, stated that this was the first partnership project between CBT and the foundation, emphasizing the positive impact of CBT’s support and engagement. He also pointed out that the school is a model for sustainable practices, featuring a vegetable garden, composting system, worm farm, cistern, and a grove with native and fruit trees, in addition to used cooking oil collection and waste separation initiatives.
“It was a very valuable experience for the children to learn and develop environmental awareness. Many do not have this opportunity at home, and they will certainly remember this experience fondly,” Bohrer concluded.
