Taking Home Action on Waste

Schools that have worked with the project so far have taken part in a rubbish races game in which they have to work as a team to decide what can be recycled in their blue box and blue bag. They have also had the chance to make their own recycled paper and design posters to encourage people in local area to join in by recycling more at home.

As well as learning about the importance of recycling, pupils have also learned how they can reuse some of their rubbish and looked at how they can reduce the amount of rubbish in their lunch boxes and start composting fruit and vegetable scraps at home.

A study of the amounts collected for recycling in areas in which the project has worked has shown that the children have been successful in encouraging their families to recycle more using their blue box and bag and to throw less away.

The effect has also been commented on by the children. A child at St Thomas CE primary School in Kilnhurst told Kay Whitfield, the THAW education officer, " I encourage my mum and dad to recycle and we recycle cans, glass, paper, clothes, nearly everything!" The impact of the project has also been noticed by school staff. A teacher at Rawmarsh Monkwood Infant School commented, "It has made the children, even the youngest, appreciate the environment and effect our waste has on it."

The THAW project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund's Community Recycling and Economic Development (CRED) programme.

For more information, please contact Sarah Thornton, Rotherham THAW Education Officer Tel: 01709 559910 or email sarah.thornton@wastewatch.org.uk