ECO SCHOOL - REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Catrin Green, Learning Zone Leader for Science & Technology said: “So much of what we throw away can be reused. Some people complain that it can be a bit of a chore sorting out rubbish for recycling but quite frankly the amount of waste sent to landfill sites every day is shocking!  We are going to introduce schemes so that recycling becomes second nature and our ultimate aim is to recycle our rubbish bins!”   

"Once the project is implemented the Academy hopes it will achieve the Eco-School Silver Award in recognition of it’s sustained good practice and determination" Said Catrin Green, Learning Zone Leader for Science & Technology.

Year 9 student Ashvin Jalabhay reports on the project:

On Friday, 12th March 2010, an award-winning charity called The Global Action Plan came to visit the Academy to talk to a group of 18  students (from  different year groups) about the Academy’s waste material and how to reduce the amount of rubbish we use every day.

The day started off with The Global Action Team  talking to us about where all the rubbish goes into (HUGE) landfills across the UK. It was not a pretty sight as most of us were shocked to see how much waste was filling up these massive spaces in the ground. Then we discussed what people do that causes more waste around the world such as, spitting chewing gum on the floor, dropping cigarette ends, and just general litter.

We were then told that we had a task to perform; look into the rubbish bags of the school (in the cold, miserable weather!)

So we rolled up our sleeves, slid our gloves on and got to work. We looked in every room of the school (even the staff room) and most of the litter was plain paper and plastic which could easily be recycled instead of thrown in the bin. We found more food packaging in the staff room’s bin bag than any other bag!

After, Croydon Council came to talk to us about what they are doing to reduce the amount of litter used. For example old car tyres can be used to make recycled pencil cases. We also received small gifts from the Council, so that was a bonus! We then got into our groups and were given a topic (plastic bottles) of ways to reduce, reuse and recycle the materials.

Finally, we gathered up our information and decided what could be done to make this happen. Green parties, musicals about recycling, murals. All these ideas were put up to raise money to create better recycling facilities for the Academy. At the end, the Green Party was the most  successful idea as it will include green food, green clothes and green decorations.

This was an exciting day for all of us as we got meet a popular charity and become aware of the       environment for the future and ways to care for it. Our next meeting has been scheduled for June/July 2010!

By Ashvin Jalabhay