Dennis flies in to help teach children in the Chichester District about recycling

Schoolchildren in the Chichester District have been learning about how to reduce waste and recycle more thanks to a classroom with a difference — a refuse vehicle which has been converted into an educational hub.

 ‘Dennis to the Rescue’ is a refuse vehicle that has been converted into a bright and hi-tech mobile classroom by the company Dennis Eagle. The vehicle is offered as a community resource to councils across the country by the company’s Sustainable Schools Programme, aiming to promote sustainability and educate children about how they can play their part in looking after the environment.

 Chichester District Council’s Waste Services team was given the opportunity to use the vehicle for several days last week when Dennis visited five schools across the district, including Chichester Free School, Chidham Primary School and Funtington Primary School, Bury CE Primary School and Graffam Junior School. Around 700 children took part in the educational sessions across the five schools.

 As part of the tour, the Waste Services team — in partnership with the West Sussex Waste Prevention team — provided the driver and two members of staff who helped deliver sessions to each class focussing on waste minimisation, recycling and food waste.

 As part of the sessions, children were able to explore the solar-powered vehicle and take part in a Wastebuster Planet Protector Challenge — a fun, hands-on exercise to help inspire and build pupils’ confidence on environmental issues.

 Councillor Mark Chilton, Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Chichester Contract Services at Chichester District Council: “We were delighted to be offered the opportunity to welcome Dennis to the Rescue to our district. The vehicle provided a fun and engaging way of raising awareness of waste and recycling issues among our young residents, and I’d like to thank all the schools, pupils and teachers who gave the team such a warm welcome and engaged so fully with the sessions.

 “We’ve received some fantastic feedback from the schools, and we hope that everyone who took part came away with lots of useful tips and information on how they can make a difference to the environment.” 

 Schools interested in learning more about the Wastebuster school education programme can visit: www.wastebuster.co.uk/west-sussex