Recycling pupils are top of the glass

YOUNGSTERS at Otley were “top of the glass” as they were declared the winners of this year's Schools' Recycling Sports Day.

Teams from primary schools in each of the district council areas took part in the event, which was organised by Suffolk County Council.

It was third year the event had been held to test the children's fitness but also their knowledge of recycling.

Each school was allocated a day, and early in July the four teams at Otley took part in a recycling relay race, a recycling slalom race and a compost race.

The activities were designed to test the children's knowledge of what can be recycled and how, and the compost race also required the children to know what is needed and the correct way to make compost.

Points were awarded to each team for speed and deducted for errors and the school with the most points was deemed to be the winner. Otley Primary School received, as their prize, a new bench made from recycled plastics.

Suffolk Coastal cabinet member Andrew Nunn thanked the Otley children for representing the district and congratulated them on winning.

“This is a fun way for children to learn about recycling and I am really pleased that this event demonstrated that children are becoming aware of the importance of recycling and know what can be recycled and where,” he said.

“We are making it easier to recycle and events like this help to raise awareness among the younger generation.

“However, it is important that everyone recycles more not only for the sake of the environment, but if recycling rates do not increase, then the annual cost of disposing of the current amount of household waste could rise by £9 million over the next few years.”

Do you think the recycling sports day is a good way to encourage the younger generation to get involved in recycling? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk