Raunds teenagers tackle 'unacceptable' litter problem

In Northamptonshire, many areas are affected by endless amounts of litter being thrown onto our streets, and by the sides of roads.

With the re-opening of fast food chains, the build-up of waste is getting worse and worse.

‘Eco-schools’ is a global programme which engages 19.5m children across 67 countries, with the aim of raising awareness and improving local communities.

Reducing litter is one of the three aims of the Eco-Schools team at Manor School, Raunds. The others are increasing biodiversity and making more connections around the world.

The Eco-School’s aims fit directly into the school’s Work World Wellness ethos and curriculum to help ensure that students are happy, healthy, employable and have a positive view of the world by improving our environments, mental well-being and allowing students to practise new skills.

The Manor School Eco-Team believe that the level of litter found locally is unacceptable and so they have been doing litter picks around our area to try and prevent an abundance of litter building up and making our county look bad. Many of the students, inspired by the Eco-Schools committee, have filled up bags upon bags of litter from the streets, and fields.

The waste, which consisted of aluminium cans, crisp packets, cigarette packs and plastic bottles, was sorted into recyclable and non-recyclable waste.

If it had all been left, it would have taken years to decompose.

One student even persuaded his whole football team, the Thrapston Warriors, to do a litter pick around their area.

Another student said: “It all starts with one piece, then it’s everywhere.

"We aren’t the problem; we are the solution for a brighter future!”

The Eco-Schools team are working hard to keep encouraging students to keep picking up litter if they see any on the floor or by the streets.

If you’ve been inspired to do any litter picks, make sure you wear reflective clothing so they can be seen, always use a litter picker or gardening gloves when handling rubbish and be aware of your surroundings.