Forty percent increase waste in Coleraine Borough
The pilotscheme was introduced to encourage and assist schools with diverting waste from landfill and began in February of this year where for eight weeks their waste was measured and monitored.
RiverRidge Recycling Business Development Manager Pamela Jordan, visited the majority of the schools and in addition to offering free advice she found herself presenting at some of the schools’ assemblies.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdPamela Jordan explains, “Under the direction of Coleraine Borough Council we set out to engage with the younger generation and introduce them to the benefits ofrecycling, educate them on the requirement to segregate food and get them to commit, ensuring the concept of recycling was transferred to the home and beyond.
“Substantial work was required initially to engage with the schools and where possible in depth waste audits were given. We were exceptionally fortunate in that Autoline Insurance Group offered financial assistance to incentivise the schools andstudents. The result was remarkable with all of the schools increasing their recycling rate and in one case a 222% increase in recycling.”
Angela Stewart, Commercial Manager, for Autoline Insurance Group, “I visited the schools several weeks ago and was absolutely bowled over by the children and their teachers’ enthusiasm. Some of the projects were tremendous from poster competitions to building greenhouses out of plastic bottles.
“Each and every school that completely engaged and participated in this challenge is to be commended. What they have achieved over the last few months is no mean feat and takes hard work and commitment. There is no doubt that this will stand the children in good stead when they think about the environment going forward.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“At Autoline Insurance Group we strive to develop relationships that are mutually beneficial and can make a positive difference in our communities and without question this School Recycling Challenge has made a positive impact on the environment and those who participated.”
Coleraine Council Mayor Councillor George Duddy along with Angela Stewart from Autoline Insurance Group and Brett Ross, Managing Director of RiverRidge Recycling were on hand to congratulate the schools and hand out the relevant certificate of achievements.
Councillor George Duddy, Mayor of Coleraine, said, “We all have busy lives these days and want everything as immediate and hassle free as possible, it is virtually impossible not to be aware of the importance of recycling, now and in the future.
“This initiative engages and educates local schoolchildren in a very positive and proactive way and is agreat introduction to encourage a lifelong interest in recycling and an awareness of the environment that becomes second nature and just a natural part of everyday life.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We would like to thank RiverRidge Recycling for their expertise in guiding the local schools through the recycling challenge. From the results it’s obvious that the benefits of the partnership between the schools, RiverRidge Recycling and the Council, and what can benefit each individual school will in turn benefit the whole Council area and that is something everyone should celebrate.”