Tots just love to recycle - 17/11/06
You're never too young to be "green" is the message emanating
from a nursery school at Penarth
Working with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Bute Cottage at Bute
Lane is living proof that from a very early age youngsters can
recycle and enjoy it too!
The school, which has already been awarded the Green Eco Flag,
is using this term to make new pupils aware of their environment,
with recycling playing an important part in the project.
Council waste awareness officer Sam Harrison said: "The aim is
that, thanks to an early start, the three and four year old pupils
will become recyclers for life."
The project started with special week of activities with a green
theme.
Explaining why she was so keen to make the school green,
headteacher Ceri Hoffrock said: “At this age the pupils need to
learn in a way that captures their imagination, and is enjoyable.
Our pupils are the future generations of this area. If we introduce
recycling in a fun manner, the message is more likely to be
retained.”
Of the special week, she said: “The children and staff have
incorporated the topics of ‘People who help us’ and ‘senses/smell’
to focus on ‘rubbish.’ Every day the children are recycling paper,
plastic, cardboard, bottles and shoes, as well as composting, to
reduce the amount we throw away.
"Our parents are helping too, by bringing in their ink
cartridges and mobile phones, plus any ‘junk’ packaging for the
children to make models.”
The project builds on the good work already undertaken in the
school over recent years, and all aimed at helping their young
people become good citizens of the future.
Collecting plastic, bottles, paper and cardboard, the school has
been recycling using the Council’s kerbside scheme for some
time.
Sam added: “Our ‘What’s in your bin?’ campaign asks us all to
reduce, reuse and recycle rather than throwing away.
"We used ‘story circle’ time at the school to introduce the
waste message in a simple way because the pupils are so young. Our
thanks go to Bute Cottage Nursery for helping us show that you’re
never too young to start thinking this way.”
For further information on waste minimisation, recycling and
home composting, please contact Visible Services on 029 2067 3000,
e-mail visible@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or
visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk