Bexhill High chosen for break-through ceremony
All schools across East Sussex will now have access to recycling and waste collections thanks to a new contract launched by the county council.
The county says: "The new collection service for recycled waste should lead to a massive increase in recycling within our schools and already over 100 of our schools have signed up to be part of the scheme.
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Hide Ad"All schools currently pay for waste collection but for the majority there is no option to have their recycled waste collected separately.
The new contract awarded to the waste management company, Sita UK, will mean all schools will have access to a recycling collection so paper, cardboard, cans and plastics can be collected."
Cllr David Elkin, lead county cabinet member for schools and learning effectiveness said: "It's true that across East Sussex the availability of recycling collections for schools is patchy. In some areas it is provided while in others it is not.
"Clearly recycling of waste is an important issue and we want all our schools to be able to recycle waste and have it collected. Many schools that currently don't have access to recycling collections have really pushed for this and we are delighted that they'll soon have the opportunity to recycle more. We also want all our young people to understand the importance of environmental issues and have the opportunity to take action."
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Hide AdCllr Matthew Lock, the council's lead member for transport and the environment added: "As a council we are committed to doing all we can to reduce our carbon footprint and reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill. This new contract will not only enable more schools to recycle but will also help get more young people involved in recycling.
"The contract specifies that a 50% recycling target is met by Sita UK which, with so many schools set to take part, will make a major contribution to increasing recycling in the county."
Although, as previously, there will be a cost to schools for the collection of their waste, many will see savings as it costs less to collect recyclable waste. It will be for individual schools to decide whether to sign up to this contract or carry on with their existing arrangements.
At Thursday's launch of the new contract Cllr Elkin and Cllr Lock will join pupils from Bexhill High School, representatives from schools across the county, and the contractor, Sita UK.
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Hide AdPupils from Bexhill High are also due to unveil a piece of artwork that they have created on the recycling theme with the help of Spectral Arts, a group that works on arts-based projects.
The County Council's Rethink Rubbish bus is also due also be at the event.