Information on Loughborough

Newtown Linford school celebrates rocketing recycling rates

Posted on 15/09/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Highways, Transportation & Waste Management

15 September 2009

Newtown Linford school celebrates rocketing recycling rates - photo opportunity -

A Leicestershire primary school is being rewarded for cutting the amount of waste it produces by a massive 81%.

Tomorrow, Newtown Linford Primary will become the first school in the County to be presented with the new Waste Certificate after their recycling rates shot up.

The award is part of the County Council’s Waste Education Programme and to achieve it, schools must set up an eco committee, carry out a waste audit, write an action plan and hold classroom activities.

By monitoring what is thrown away and increasing recycling, staff and pupils at Newtown Linford have cut the waste produced to less than a fifth of the amount.

Both Leicestershire County and Charnwood Borough Councils have worked with the school to provide advice on minimising waste.

Tony Kershaw is the County Council's Cabinet Member for Waste and will be presenting the award in an assembly to the whole school tomorrow (Wednesday).

He said: "The Waste Certificate provides schools with the knowledge they need to reduce their waste. It is also a great way to get schools involved so they know how to reduce waste at home.”

Kate Easton, Newtown Linford Primary School's Eco Coordinator, said: “I am very proud that Newtown Linford Primary School has achieved the Waste Certificate.

"The children have worked very hard to reduce the amount of litter we send to landfill and recycle more. This will certainly help us towards achieving the Eco School Green Flag award, which we are in the process of applying for this year.”

The Waste Certificate is designed to work alongside Eco Schools, a sustainable schools programme aimed at guiding schools on their sustainable journey. As with Eco Schools, the award provides a framework that schools can work alongside.

There are a further four schools in Leicestershire currently working towards the new certificate.

Photo Opportunity:

Tony Kershaw, County Council Cabinet Member for Waste, will be presenting the certificate during a school assembly starting at 9am on Wednesday, 16th September.

Netown Linford Primary School is on Main Street, LE6 0AD.