Local school children have been helping to spread the word about recycling thanks to a £10,000 grant to Suffolk’s councils.
The cash, from Viridor Waste Management Limited, has given pupils at 13 schools from across the county the chance to learn more about recycling and win prizes by taking part in a competition known as the Perfect Bin.
In the borough, pupils in years 9, 10 and 11 at St Benedict’s Upper School, Bury St Edmunds, have been taking part by getting more involved in recycling at home and making sure that the right materials (such as paper, cardboard, plastic, cans and tins) have been going in their blue bins.
The competition, which runs until July, sees students sort their loose materials into their recycling bins. When they are happy their blue bin is ‘perfect’ (for example, it doesn’t contain any plastic bags), they can attach a hanger onto it and put it out for collection. St Edmundsbury’s crews will then check the bins as they complete their rounds. If they are satisfied the recycling bin contains all the right materials, the pupil is entered into a prize draw, with three students each year winning a DVD player.
Before the contest started, all of the pupils were given information about what can and can’t be recycled to help them put the correct items in their recycling bins. And the results show that many are taking the messages home so they can carry on the good work.
ENDS
Notes to editors: The Perfect Bin competition is funded by the Viridor Waste Management, which allocated £10,000 in total to St Edmundsbury, Babergh District Council, Forest Heath District Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and Waveney District Council for the waste recycling incentive scheme.
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
