War on Plastics earns school Eco Champion status

Northgate High School, Norfolk has been awarded the Eco Champion Mark in recognition of the work the organisation has delivered through its War on Plastics campaign.

The school earned the mark for its impressive work in enlisting the wider community to support its successful pen and crisp packet recycling initiatives, as well as its Bottle Free Friday scheme for the school dining room.

Led by the 15-strong School Council, the campaign has enlisted feeder primary schools, library, council offices and even a local supermarket – as well as the 750 pupils at the high school. The impact has been considerable with 110kg of pens and 107kg of crisp packets recycled this academic year.

The School Council’s new Bottle Free Friday scheme aims to cut the sale of 9,000 bottles and cans over the year and provide students with reusable drinking bottles. Income raised from the recycling will support the school’s charity of the year Cancer Research UK.

Organisations can earn the Eco Champion accreditation for projects that make their community safer, cleaner or greener.

Nominations for the status can be linked to initiatives delivered by individuals or groups and either by adults or children. Projects can be linked to schools, business or the wider community.

EcoChampion spokesman Simon Dolby said: “The enthusiasm and passion of the School Council has created community momentum for its pen and crisp packet recycling schemes, as well as generating real change in the dining hall on campus to cut use of plastics. The school thoroughly deserves Eco Champion status and pupils and staff should be commended for the impact they have delivered.”

Impact points
EcoChampion fact-file