Dorset pupils go green

The three Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle - scored top marks with pupils across Dorset.

From September 2009 to July 2010, recycling officers visited more than 80 local schools, talking to almost 8,500 youngsters about the benefits of reducing waste.

Dorset councils are committed to working with local nursery, primary and secondary schools across the county to encourage pupils to start thinking about helping the environment from an early age.

A programme of fun and interactive waste awareness and prevention activities including educational shows, assemblies, individual class visits and trips to Dorset County Council’s education centre in Wareham, are available to local schools and community groups. The team also carry out waste audits which are designed to help schools identify the common types of materials they throw away.

Working with local schools is part of the Dorset’s waste strategy, which aims to achieve 60 per cent recycling by 2015/16. It was officially adopted by Christchurch Borough Council, Dorset County Council, East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in May 2009.

For more information visit www.dorsetforyou.com/schoolsrecyclingeducation.