Playground penguins promote recycling (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Playground penguins promote recycling

March 17, 2009 12:00 AM

Novelty penguin shaped bins have been put into playgrounds at five primary schools in Weetwood. They will help teach children to be environmentally friendly and put their rubbish in the bin.

The project was designed by Weetwood councillor and Deputy Executive Member for Children's Services Ben Chastney. Cllr Chastney contacted schools and offered to supply them with the novelty bins as well as green recycling bins for the classrooms

Five local primary schools in Weetwood took up the offer which cost £3,500. The money was raised using contributions from all three Weetwood ward councillors who dipped into their MICE (Members Improvement in the Community) pot. The primary schools taking part are St Chad's Church of England, Iveson, Weetwood, Ireland Wood and Holy Name Catholic.

Cllr Ben Chastney said:

"The bins are all in place now and seem to have gone down very well with children and staff. Hopefully they will help children learn how to recycle and protect their environment.

"I would like to thank the schools for getting involved and my fellow ward councillors Sue Bentley and Judith Chapman for their support in this."

Cllr Judith Chapman (Lib Dem Weetwood) said: "As ward councillors we were happy to support this project. It is important that we work with children and teach them how to recycle. The long term benefits of schemes such as this are immense, every primary school should have a scheme like this going on."