Youngsters at a Slaithwaite school are stepping up their recycling efforts to help win a new…playground.
Nields Academy has signed up to take part in a nationwide recycling contest run by Sistema, experts in food storage and hydration, in partnership with recycling experts TerraCycle.
If the school collects the most used plastic food storage containers and lids, as well as reusable plastic water bottles and caps, then they will win a new playground with a frame made from 100% recycled materials.
The school is asking the people of Slaithwaite to donate their old food storage containers and plastic bottles. There are special collection bins in the school car park which are open to the public 24/7.
To participate in The Sistema Recycled Playground Contest, schools had to sign up to the Sistema Food Storage Container and Reusable Bottle Free Recycling Programme.
This is a free national recycling programme for all brands of used food storage containers and lids and plastic bottles and caps, which cannot be recycled through conventional kerbside recycling collections and would otherwise end up in landfill.
The recycled playground prize will comprise of two slides, an approach ramp with rope and a large joining platform amongst other features.
Additionally, the winning school and the runner-up will also both win a Sistema lunchbox and water bottle for each pupil. The winners will be announced in January 2025.
Karen Hill from Nields Academy said: “We are calling on all members of the Slaithwaite community to help us.
“Simply bring any used food storage containers and lids, as well as reusable plastic water bottles and caps, to the drop-off collection bins in the school car park (HD7 5HT) which is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“This is a fantastic initiative that will not only enhance our outdoor learning in the school garden but also benefit the environment.
“It will educate our pupils and the local community on the importance of recycling. We have already raised an incredible £1,000 by recycling over a tonne of waste not accepted via council kerbside recycling which would have been incinerated.
“We are very grateful to everyone who has participated so far. However, we want to do more!
“We also collect on TerraCycle’s Warburtons Wax Wrap Free Recycling Programme, The Ferrero Pralines Free Recycling Programme and The Pringles Tube Free Collection Programme, among others, so please feel free to drop off these types of waste to our public access collection point too!”
