Pupils from Benedict Primary School were kitted out in gloves and aprons to sort litter from their school bin on Thursday 4 November as part of the Waste Education Programme.

The Waste Audit, run by Merton Council, aims to teach pupils more about waste minimisation. The sorted waste was weighed and recorded by the participants helping them to understand what materials can be reduced, reused or recycled.

Linda Kirby, Cabinet Member for Environmental Quality, said: ‘The Waste Audit is an excellent way to help children understand what materials can be recycled instead of being thrown in the bin.

‘If we can educate children of the importance of recycling at a young age we have a greater chance in improving Merton’s recycling levels in the future and preventing waste being sent to landfill sites.”

Pupils at Morden Primary, William Morris Primary, Beecholme Primary and Links Primary are also participating in the Waste Education Programme this school year. The Waste Education Programme, which began last September, includes many waste awareness activities such as the waste audit, paper-making and the giant rubbish challenge game.

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