Search for school recycling champions

Letters are being sent to schools across the city and county packed with information about how they can get involved.

Last year 81 schools registered for the scheme and 34 schools won an award. It's hoped that even more will take up the challenge this year.

The Council will be working in partnership with the Environment Centre on the project who will be visiting and helping schools with their recycling efforts.

Trish Flint, Team Leader for Recycling said, "The scheme is designed to encourage schools to reduce their waste as much as possible before recycling it. Their efforts are then rewarded with a bronze, silver or gold award.

"The scheme serves to educate pupils and teachers about waste minimisation and recycling as well as reducing costs to schools as their paper is recycled for free."

As part of the scheme pupils and teachers are encouraged to ensure both sides of every piece of paper are used before it is put in the recycling bins.

Inkjets and toner cartridges are also recycled to adhere with the Bronze Award.

Silver and Gold Awards are issued depending on schools meeting various other criteria such as recycling drinks cans in comprehensives or reusing plastic water bottles in Primary schools.

The schools that reach the Gold Award standard must also compost all their fruit and vegetable peelings, develop links to the curriculum and ensure that pupils make an effort to use the Kerbside Collection Service at home.

Cllr John Hague, Cabinet Member for Environment said. "Introducing and educating our pupils of the importance of reducing and recycling waste is extremely important.

"These awards recognise the valuable contribution made by the pupils and the schools and I would encourage as many schools as possible to take part."

Notes for Editors

Schools will be presented with their awards at special ceremony at the Brangwyn Hall on March 31st 2006.

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