Young artists do their bit for recycling

Pupils’ artistic talents were put to the test when they entered the ‘Recycle for Bury’ competition to design a large poster to display on the side of a waste collection vehicle and win £100 for their school. 

School pupils were invited to create posters to help Bury Council’s waste management service promote recycling and increase Bury’s recycling rate to 50% or more.

Poster designs were judged on creativity and originality, boldness of design and how skilfully the poster put across a call to action and conveyed the message to recycle more. 

Carl Cheetham from Bury CE High School and Freya Hollos from Chesham CP School were chosen as the overall winners from more than 200 entries from schools across the borough. 

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for environment, said: “We had a fantastic response to our poster competition which made choosing just two winners a really difficult task, but Carl’s and Freya’s artwork did stand out as the best of the best. Very well done to them both.”

Presentation ceremonies were held at each school where the winning pupils accepted the £100 prize on behalf of their school. They were also awarded a £20 voucher as a personal reward and photographed with their winning artwork displayed on the side of a collection truck. 

Peter Hudson, head teacher at Chesham CP School, said: "The children, staff and parents at our school are delighted to have achieved the bronze, and silver, eco-status award and we are determined to press forward to gain Green Flag status. Recycling has become a highly visible, everyday part of life at school, in the classroom, the dining hall and the playground. Similarly, switching off lights and closing doors need no reminders in school.

“Hopefully, we are building a more eco-aware society for the future and the quality of the work produced by all our pupils, most especially for the poster competition, reflects how seriously our pupils approach the issue. We are very proud of Freya who has produced a high quality, well thought out and well designed poster."

The Reverend Craig Watson, head teacher of Bury CE High School, said: “As our school teaches its pupils to care for the environment, we are delighted that one of them has won the ‘Recycle for Bury’ competition and that their work will be of practical help to encouraging recycling in the community.”

As well as keeping waste out of landfill, recycling helps the environment and saves money. In Bury we currently recycle around 46% of our household waste and our target is to recycle 50% or more. 

ENDS

Press release issued: 7 February 2014.

Picture attached: Chesham CP photo (from left): Driver Ian Astley, head teacher Peter Hudson, deputy head teacher Elaine McElroy, poster winner Freya Hollos, Cllr Tony Isherwood, and head of waste management Glenn Stuart.