A Silkmore pupil competiting at the Recycling Olympics

On your marks; set.... recycle

Staffordshire's first ever recycling Olympic games got under way at Silkmore Primary School - one of Staffordshire's top Eco-schools.

With exciting new sports including "three legged composting" and the "litter pick obstacle course" the games look set to become a regular and fun feature on the schools agenda.

The Olympics are a brand new initiative being organised by Staffordshire's recycling champions promoting the recycling message at grass roots level.

The County Council and district councils are working together to help generate a recycling revolution where everyone gets the recycling bug.

The event is part of a national drive called "the BIG recycle" organised by national recycling kings WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme).

Staffordshire's recycling champion Councillor John Wakefield said: "While it is all very worthy promoting the value of recycling for the environment, for the economy, for jobs and for future generations, there's one thing that often gets left out - it's great fun.

"Of all the benefits to be reaped from recycling more waste, its future generations who will gain most. That's why we need to get them involved and enthusiastic in their earliest years."

Recycling has enormous long term benefits for all of us including:

Reducing the need for landscape hungry landfill
Reducing the environmental damage and pollution caused by mining and extracting virgin materials
Reduces dependency on expensive imports, creating a more robust local economy
Creates local jobs and wealth
Reduces environmentally damaging traffic movements by keeping it local
Helps promote a practical "can do" engagement with environmental action.

Carol Steptoe, Environmental Co-ordinator, said: "Recycling and the environment are not just an extra at Silkmore, but fundamental to how we teach and run the school. If we are going to educate the next generation we need to help them engage with real issues that affect their lives now and in the future."

Other events are being held around the county.

Page Last Modified: 30/01/2007 16:05:47

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