We're waste aware, say pupils

St Michael's Catholic High School in Garston has shown itself to be the greenest school in Three Rivers for the second year running, after again winning second place in a competition run by WasteAware, the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership. The school won £500, which was donated by paper recycling company Aylesford Newsprint.

The competition asked pupils to come up with ideas to help spread the reduce, re-use and recycle message to their peers and families. Young people at St Michael's were inspired to start making their school canteen environmentally friendly by planning to eliminate non-reusable plastic and polystyrene cups, plates and utensils, to reduce the amount of waste generated by the school. The school also boasts an active Environment Committee, made up of young people, to work towards reducing the school's carbon footprint.

Councillor Phil Brading, Portfolio Holder for Public Services and Health at Three Rivers District Council, was very impressed with the pupils' work:

"It is great to see young people so enthusiastic about recycling and working to protect their environment. The St Michael's students are doing a fantastic job reducing unnecessary waste in their school canteen and the ongoing work of the school's Environment Committee is really impressive. Three Rivers District Council is committed to helping residents, schools and businesses to recycle as much as possible, and schools are encouraged to get in touch if they have any questions or need any help with their recycling and environment initiatives. Keep up the good work."