A Wilmslow schoolgirl's passion for the environment has resulted in a competition for her school – with the winning poster set to be displayed at her local park.
Ten-year-old Alice Lucarini, from Lindlow Community Primary School, was so upset that litter was having such a devastating impact on marine life that she wrote to Ansa Environmental Services, who delivers waste services on behalf of Cheshire East Council.
Alice has been heavily involved with Ansa's junior recycling officer (JRO) programme and has been very active in promoting recycling in her school.
As part of 'Waste Week' in March, Alice and many other local children were invited to Cheshire East's environmental hub in Middlewich. There they enjoyed many recycling-based activities and listened to talks delivered by the Ansa waste minimisation team.
To acknowledge Alice's passion for reducing litter and working with the council's cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Don Stockton, the idea for a litter reduction competition emerged. Alice has now launched the competition in her school.
Pupils were invited to create a poster reminding people not to drop litter in the Carrs Park. Alice and the waste education officer will judge the best design, which will then be displayed in the park in time for the summer holidays.
Cllr Stockton said: "To see such concern for the environment in a child so young is really inspiring. The JRO programme is a wonderful way for children not only to learn about recycling but also to actively take part in doing something about it. I'm really looking forward to seeing the results of this competition inspired by Alice."
Lucinda Hodges, a waste education officer for Ansa, who runs the JRO programme on behalf of the council, said: "This programme is open to any primary school within the borough and we have already engaged with around 8,000 pupils this year. The standard of assemblies and activities that the JROs deliver in their own schools is always exceptional and we support them every step of the way."
The scheme is open to all primary schools in the borough and is free to join. Participation enables schools to receive free talks on recycling and reducing waste, as well as providing the pupils with the resources to learn and educate their peers.
If you are interested in getting your primary school involved in joining the programme, contact Lucinda Hodges on 01270 686684 or email: [email protected].
Photo: L - R Alice Lucarini, Cllr Don Stockton and Matt Smith from Ansa.
