CHILDREN from Winkleigh Primary School have been examining the contents of their dustbin with waste educators from Global Action Plan as a part of the Devon County Council waste reduction programme to try and cut the amount of waste they are sending to landfill. The year 4 and 5 pupils took part in a waste training day run by educators from environmental charity Global Action Plan (GAP). In carrying out a waste 'audit' the children worked out exactly what their rubbish was made up of and using the 3Rs — reduce, reuse and recycle — they came up with a plan to cut the amount of rubbish they produce. Last year GAP worked with more than 100 Devon schools participated in the programme achieving an average 'waste-per-pupil' reduction of 45%. Devon County Council's executive member for environment, Cllr Margaret Rogers, said: 'We are delighted to be supporting Global Action Plan so it can continue its highly successful waste initiative. 'By reaching young people in Devon we are investing in a more sustainable future for our children and the beautiful county they live in.' 'The programme has a truly "gloves on" approach which enables young people and their teachers to make connections with the things they use and discard, and the impacts this can have on the environment.' GAP will continue to support the school in their effort to reduce waste by running a series of workshops, and further down the line a second waste 'audit' to measure any changes that have been made. All schools across Devon are eligible to take part in the waste reduction programme free of charge. For more information please contact Victoria Thompson, SW schools programme manager on 01392 382968 or email [email protected]">[email protected]
