Academy’s Eco Warriors are waging war on waste
Primary school children at Fatfield Academy Inspires have been recycling “unwanted or unloved” clothing to benefit both the environment and families in need.
With the Washington academyalreadyrecyclingpaper and plastics, pupils in the school’s Eco Warriors Team decided to extend the initiative to cover items of clothing, providing both economic and environmental benefits.
Eco Warrior Esmae Hignett, nine, said: “We started with just putting in old uniformitemswhichweresentto childreninGhanabutwethen thoughtwhataboutalltheother items of clothing we have?"
FellowWarriorHarryStacey,10,added:“Aswellasreducingwaste,theclothingcanalso be used to help other people.”
Year 6 pupil Grace Clark, 10, said: “I’ve been putting in clothes which no longer fit such as t-shirts and leggings andmymamhasalsodonated her old clothes.”
Theschoolhaveteamedup with North East-based company, Fundraise and Recycle Limited, who’ve provided a donation station and will pay money for the clothing items which can then be reinvested into school projects.
Deputyheadteacher,Nicky Dowdle, said: “We’ve had two collections so far. The first in December, saw the company collect 201 kilograms while last month’s was £195 kilograms – for which we received over £200.
"While the good quality clothing is distributed to disadvantagedfamilies,themoneyraisedisgoingtobeinvested
into other green projects which the children decide on.
"One of those is the development of a sensory nature garden which will have wooden benches, water features, wild flowers, trees and bird feeders. It’s also important that children learn about the importance of sustainability as they’re the future and if we invest in them then change will happen.”
Headteacher Tracey Pizl added: “The parents love the initiative and it’s important to
educatethechildrenaboutreducingourwasteasthey’rethe generation who will be affected most and are the decision makers of tomorrow.”
The donation station is based in the school car park, which is open weekdays from 8am until 5.30pm, and members of the wider community are invited to use it.
Eco Warrior Charlie Pinder, 10, said: “It’s important to protecttheenvironment,otherwise it won’t be here forever and that will be not good for anyone – people or animals.”