Pupils unite to collect tonne of Easter waste
PUPILS from three primary schools in Rhonnda Cynon Taff recycled their old Easter egg boxes – and collected a tonne of recyclable rubbish.
RCT council’s annual Easter Egg Recycling Competition saw pupils from across the borough challenged to collect as much packaging from their Easter eggs as they could in the hope of winning a cash prize to go towards school projects.
Piles of plastic, and cardboard collected from 44 foil were participating schools – with pupils collecting a huge 1,026,350 grams of recyclable material in total. On Wednesday, July 5, Rhigos Primary, Porth Infants and Llwyncelyn Infants Schools were crowned the competition champions.
Pupils were invited to Ty Glantaf in Treforest, one of the council’s seven recycling centres, to meet the council’s recycling mascot Rhys Cycle and pick up their prizes.
Rhigos Primary School’s efforts saw 67 pupils collect 30,455g of recycling materials – an impressive 454 grams per pupil.
Two of the school’s eco council members, Natalie Pope (Year 2) and Archie Bennett (Year 3), collected the winning £300 prize on behalf of their school.
Porth Infants, represented by Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils, picked up the £100 second prize, while Llwyncelyn Infants won the £50 third prize, which was collected by Year 1 pupils in the school council and eco committee.
The three winning schools were also awarded certificates for their efforts.
Rachel Hodges, Rhigos Primary School’s Year 2 and 3 teacher, who coordinates the school eco council, said: “Pupils from all across the school contributed to the Easter Egg Competition. It really was a team effort.
“There are lots of eco activities going on in the school, and pupils have recently taken part in Waste Week and SwitchOff Fortnight.
“The prize money will make a big contribution to our plans to transform an outdoor space at the school into a garden, with an allotment and outdoor area that pupils and staff can enjoy.”