NORTHERN WORKS WITH SCHOOLCHILDREN TO TACKLE ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE

Northern Rail is working with a group of dedicated youngsters to investigate and tackle recycling issues at Manchester Victoria Station.

The children, who are all pupils from Years Five and Six at Temple Primary School in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, have been speaking with commuters at Victoria to find out about people’s attitudes towards litter, newspapers and recycling bins.

Heidi Mottram, Managing Director of Northern, said: “Northern deals with around 120 tonnes of paper across the network and at stations every year and it was an absolute pleasure to be able to work with a group of such passionate young people dedicated to looking at the best way to tackle this issue and make a difference.

“The group of pupils we entertained clearly knew what they were talking about and had a great time talking with passengers and finding out people’s opinions to waste and recycling – we are now waiting to find out what their survey results reveal and what their recommendations are before looking at the best way forward.”

Working under the close supervision of Northern Rail, and Urban Mines – an environmental consultancy and charity – the children spent two hours at Manchester Victoria asking a range of questions.

Questions commuters were asked included:

· Do you read newspapers on the train?

· What do you with the newspaper when you have read it?

· Do you think recycling is a good thing?

· Would you recycle paper if facilities were provided at the station?

· Would you like to see facilities for other types of waste provided?

Temple Primary School has been an Eco School for almost three years and is ranked by Keep Britain Tidy – which runs the international eco award scheme in the UK

A Teacher said: “What we wanted to do was look at real-world issue and then look at the best way to tackle the issue. The children are all hugely passionate about this project and Northern has been really helpful in working so closely with us.

“We will now be looking closely at our survey findings to see what passengers have got to say about recycling issues and then going back to Northern with our findings.”

Prior to the visit to Victoria to quiz commuters, the pupils all took part in a Workshop on Waste organised by Urban Mines – which provides information, expert advice and support to waste, sustainability and climate change problems.

Sharon Clarke of Urban Mines, said: “We are delighted to be working with the children from Temple Primary School. Following an art competition organised by Northern Rail to encourage recycling at the station, it was clear the children had an excellent understanding of the issues involved.”

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