More than 230 schools across Birmingham have committed to make a ‘Giant Change’ to the way they recycle at school and in their homes after a unique education programme was launched just under a year ago.
The ‘Giant Change’ educational resource was developed by a local enterprise company called SKIPS, in partnership with Birmingham City Council and the city’s waste contractor, Veolia. The free activity book was taken into primary schools across Birmingham to help teachers educate year five pupils about how they can reduce their carbon footprint by saving energy and water, and how to better recycle within their communities. The books were also taken home so children could share the activities with their parents and continue learning outside of school.
Toby Terlet, general manager at Veolia in Birmingham, said: “We’re thrilled at how well primary schools across Birmingham have received our ‘Giant Change’ project. Here at Veolia we are dedicated to educating the next generation on the importance of looking after our environment as well as making use of the resources we all throw away.
“Along with SKIPS and Birmingham City Council we have managed to provide every 10 year old in the city with a free Energy, Water and Waste homework book. The inspiration behind the book was to engage parents and change behaviour in the homes of children whose schools are becoming more sustainable.”
Alongside the activity book, SKIPS also hosted a series of free one off workshops for teachers from schools across the city to learn more about sustainability and structuring lessons around the topic.
And to celebrate the project’s success one lucky pupil was presented with a brand new iPad for his efforts to make a ‘Giant Change’ in how he recycled both at school and home. Ten year old Saiem Ahmed from St. Martin de Porres Catholic Primary School in Mosley entered a prize draw competition ran by the project, after learning about how to reduce his carbon footprint in the classroom and then taking the activity book home to share with his family.
Toby said: “St. Martin de Porres primary school and Saiem in particular has been very active in trying to reduce their carbon footprint as part of the SKIPS project, so we are delighted to be able to reward Saiem.”
Cllr Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Recycling and Environment, was there with Toby to present Saiem with the iPad and commented: “I’m delighted at how well the SKIPS project has been received by primary schools across the city. Educating our next generation and helping them to take learning home to share with their families is key to reducing our carbon footprint and creating sustainable communities.”
Left to right: Toby Terlet, general manager at Veolia with Cllr Lisa Trickett, Mrs Banks, teacher at St Martins de Porres primary school and iPad winner Saiem .
