Pupils at a school in North Shields are urging grown ups to repair or reuse things instead of throwing them away – or if they can’t to recycle where possible.
Students at Christ Church Primary School are passionate about making North Tyneside greener. Their Eco Club runs a reuse shop at school, and they’ve made small changes at home, like helping their families repair things when they’re broken and recycling more. They’re now encouraging adults in North Tyneside to do the same.
Harry, age 7 said: “At school we learn about how important it is to repair something when it’s broken so it can be reused, or to recycle it. We’re good at it and the playground’s full of cool reused things to play with.
“One of my friends had a teddy that was broken, and instead of asking for a new one she asked for it to be fixed so she didn’t create more waste”.
“We want more adults to do what we do because it’s so important to protect our planet and it’s our future.
“Grown ups… please don’t just chuck things out!”
You can watch a short video here of the things the pupils are reusing in the playground, which the pupils helped to make.
It comes as a new reuse facility opens at the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) in North Shields. Residents who have booked an appointment to take things to the tip can now drop off donations as well, like toys, small electricals, sports and gardening equipment. For a full list see below.
North Tyneside Council and partner, Suez, already donate items left at the HWRC to local schools, like Christ Church, to enhance outdoor play and learning.
Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency said: “Making small changes can have a big impact on reducing carbon, and North Tyneside Council is doing all it can to make the Borough cleaner and greener for future generations.
“The students at Christ Church Primary are achieving so much, and are a real inspiration, but they can’t do it alone.
“We’ve an ambitious aim to be carbon net zero by 2030, and the circular economy is an important part of our plan. It means stopping and thinking before you put something in the bin - can I reuse or repair it? If not, can I recycle it instead?
If you’d like to get involved, check what you can and can’t donate and then book an appointment at HWRC.
There is more advice and information about what North Tyneside Council is doing to reduce its carbon footprint on its Action on Climate Change webpages.
Examples of what can be taken to the reuse facility:
Garden and DIY materials
Bikes and sports equipment
Toys
Small furniture (upholstered items must have fire labels)
Small electricals (kettles/toasters)
What can’t be accepted:
Broken/incomplete or dirty items
Textiles, used mattresses and bedding
Child car seats
Gas or petrol powered items