Pupils celebrate Recycle Week with bright green picnic table

Made entirely out of recycled plastic, the table was the result of a recycling challenge organised by the local housebuilder.

Pupils were set a two-week task by David Wilson Homes to collect as many empty milk containers as possible.

The housebuilder is behind the Wickhurst Green development off Five Oaks Road and was keen to involve a local school in the recycling project.

As part of the David Wilson Homes on going Education Programme, the milk bottle collection project aimed to give pupils experience of hands-on recycling, and show them the results of their efforts.

In the run up to half term a big blue collection bin was delivered to the school grounds. Pupils got to grips with the challenge immediately; collecting and rinsing out milk bottles before, during and after half term.

After a fortnight, the bin full of empty milk containers, was collected and by Powerday; the company who provide waste and recycling facilities at Wickhurst Green.

The recycled bottles were then replaced by a brightly coloured picnic table, which had been made from 2,860 recycled plastic milk bottles.

David Bird, Shelley Primary School headteacher, commented: “The pupils were over the moon when their table arrived.

“Most pupils already understand that we recycle plastics, but this project helped them see what can happen to the plastic after it has been taken away.

“We’d like to thank David Wilson Homes for asking us to take part in Recycle Week and giving the pupils a sense of achievement, knowing that their efforts went some way to creating their brand new picnic table”.

Gary Ennis, Regional Managing Director for Barratt Developments, commented: “David Wilson Homes is committed to recycling at our Wickhurst Green development and so we appreciate that sustainability is an extremely important issue.

“This project was a fun and interesting way to teach younger people about the importance of recycling. By seeing the picnic table as the result of their efforts I hope that it will inspire the pupils to continue recycling in the future.”

To find out more about David Wilson Homes’ Wickhurst Green development please call 01403 241956 or visit www.dwh.co.uk/WickhurstGreen

For more information about Recycle Week and your nearest recycling facility please visit www.recyclenow.com/recycle_week