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03/07/2003
Oxfordshire County Council Launch New Schools Recycling Service
Oxfordshire County Council's waste team launched a new schools recycling service this week to recycle paper, cardboard, cans and plastics. Alreday 75 schools have signed up to the service.
Oxfordshire is one of only a handful of County Councils to offer a rubbish recycling service to schools - a trailblazing initiative that should make a small but significant reduction in the total amount of rubbish sent to landfill.
Every year, the County Council spends £13 million disposing of household waste. Yet that amount of money could buy the county three primary schools, one secondary school and one library per annum!
Each of the 75 schools taking part in the scheme has been given special bins so that it can separate its rubbish. Regular collections will now be made by Grundon, the waste contractor which currently services the majority of County Council schools. Grundon have even ensured that most schools will find it cheaper to recycle than dispose of waste in the normal bins.
Councillor Anne Purse, Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Waste Management, said: "At last we are able to meet teacher and pupil requests for recycling facilities. We have long been eager to secure this pioneering service for schools and are absolutely delighted to see it now underway. "
Lawn Upton Middle School was one of the first schools to join the scheme. Teacher Dawn Clements said: "Our pupils have been recycling paper for almost a year now as part of our Eco Schools programme and with this new initiative, they will now be able to recycle other materials too. Our Eco Warriors have worked hard to involve the whole school, showing how every individual can make a difference to the way we lead our lives. I am sure this will enthuse them even further."
Emma Murray, Schools Sustainability Officer, said: "Recycling rubbish will help raise environmental awareness among pupils and staff. It will also promote the responsible use of school resources. Plus, every time that pupils discuss these environmental issues with others, they act as 'green ambassadors', bringing the waste reduction message to even more members of the community. "
