County primary schools get chance to win a special talking bin

Herefordshire Council's Streetscene service has linked up with Ledbury-based firm Helping Hand to carry out an audit which will identify litter and recycling problems in and around the county's primary schools.

All 81 primary schools have been invited to take part in the audit and information gained will be used to work with schools to try and help solve any problems identified. As an added incentive, all schools taking part get the chance to win a special "talking" litter bin for their playground, donated by Helping Hand.

Helping Hand manufactures litter picking equipment such as "graptors", specially designed for use by children.

Streetscene, run by Herefordshire Council with its partners Amey Wye Valley, has been working with primary schools for some time.

Back in 2006, all primary schools in the county were offered litter-picking equipment and 13 schools requested and received it together with Streetscene signs for their playgrounds.

Talks to primary schools continued throughout 2007. Pupils from Lord Scudamore Primary School in Hereford carried out a community litter pick last summer. Lord Scudamore was the first school to win a Streetscene Charter for its environmental work in both school and community.

Recently Riverside Primary School in Hereford also took part in a community litter pick around Belmont and received litter picking equipment for the school. The school is now eligible for the county's second Streetscene Charter.

John Bobin, Streetscene manager, said: "Education is key to making a difference to our environment, whether talking about global issues or the environment at our feet in the places we live. We are committed to working with young people and this work in schools is just one aspect of Streetscene activity. Responsible children will hopefully grow into responsible adults."

Schools are urged to return the audit form before May 9 to be entered into the free draw to win a "talking" litter bin.