Postcards send out important recycling message

Pupils across the Wyre Forest district have been getting creative to help Wyre Forest District Council send out an important recycling message.

The students took part in a competition to design a postcard to highlight the problem of an increasing number of plastic bags being put in green wheelie bins. 

Jo Duffield, the Council’s Waste Minimisation Officer said,

“Our recycling rates are good at the moment but unfortunately we are finding an increasing number of plastic bags in green wheelie bins.  These can not be accepted and could mean the whole load of recycling is rejected.  The pupils were asked to help us design a postcard with a positive recycling message but also to let people know that we can’t accept plastic bags in green wheelie bins for recycling.”

First prize in the competition was awarded to Megan Davies, age 10, from Comberton Primary School for her colourful and creative design.  It depicts the materials that can be recycled as well as a smiley-faced planet earth and the important messages ‘Keep plastic bags out!’ and ‘Keep our world happy’. Megan wins a £50 voucher for her school to spend on an eco-project and a recycled stationary set for herself. Runners up prizes were awarded to Larna Darby, age 6, from Stourport Primary School and Faith Morris, age 7, from Far Forest Primary School.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Environmental Services said,

“There were some fantastic entries put forward with pupils really embracing the recycling theme.  They also managed to put positively the message that we cannot accept plastic bags in the green bins. We hope that by distributing these postcards as well as displaying posters within schools and around the district, people will be attracted to the colourful design and take note of its messages.”

Copies of the ‘Recycling Guide’ are available from the Worcestershire Hub in Kidderminster.  For an electronic copy and more information on recycling and the competition winners visit our recycling webpages   Plastic bags can be recycled at most major supermarkets.

Photograph shows competition winner Megan Davies, aged 10, from Comberton Primary School with Councillor Marcus Hart.

Issued - 30th November 2011