Pupils get creative for the environment

The pupils, Isabelle and Jacob, got creative as part of last year's competition to encourage their fellow Broadland residents to waste less and recycle more. In recognition of their achievement, the pupils received a visit from Councillor Jan Davis, Broadland District Council's Portfolio Holder for Environmental Excellence and Veolia, so they could admire their artworks, which are now displayed on large panels on the vehicles.

Year 5 schoolchildren across the district were challenged to create a design based on the theme of celebrating waste reduction and recycling. Almost 50 submissions from four schools were considered by a panel of judges from Broadland District Council and Veolia.

To thank the schools for entering the competition and encouraging biodiversity around their school, all four schools have received a Veolia Orchard, consisting of three apple trees and two pear trees. The orchards give young people a chance to feel the benefits of working with nature and getting their hands dirty. As the trees and plants mature, they will also provide a source of healthy food for pupils, help to improve local air quality and support biodiversity.

Councillor Jan Davis, Broadland Portfolio Holder for Environmental Excellence, said:

"I was so impressed with the creativity and imagination of all the children that took part in this challenge. Isabelle and Jacob's vibrant designs will inspire residents to think seriously about recycling and protecting our planet.

"This important message is more powerful coming from children, as the decisions we make now will directly impact their future. That's why we work so hard in Broadland to make recycling as easy as possible. We've expanded kerbside collections to include food waste, small electricals, batteries, and textiles, achieving the best recycling rate in the County. We'll continue collaborating with Veolia to find innovative ways to prevent waste and protect our environment for future generations."

Duncan McBurney, Contract Manager at Veolia, said:

"At Veolia, we're committed to delivering ecological transformation and having a positive impact on the local communities we serve. The new vehicle banners showcasing the creative artwork of local pupils are an engaging way to spread the message of recycling in a fun and eye-catching manner. We hope these vibrant designs will catch the attention of residents and inspire them to make recycling a part of their daily routine. By working together, we can create a cleaner, greener environment for generations to come."

The two designs have been installed on the fleet of vehicles collecting the green and grey bins of Broadland District Council residents, so keep an eye out and see if you can spot their designs when the team are collecting waste and recycling near you!

Find out more about what you can and can't recycle in Broadland.

Published: 12 September 2024