Posters designed by primary and secondary school pupils in Edinburgh are to front a city-wide campaign aimed at boosting recycling rates in classrooms.
The six striking and colourful designs were chosen from more than 900 entries to a poster competition run by the City of Edinburgh Council for P4-S2 pupils.
And, as well as encouraging recycling, the posters highlight the benefits that recycling food, paper and plastics brings to Edinburgh and the natural world.
Posters by Kayleigh Mok from James Gillespie’s Primary School, Coral Creswell from St Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School and Charlotte McPhail from Flora Stevenson Primary School, will be displayed in all primary and special education needs schools across the city.
Artwork by Arran Smith from Davidson’s Mains Primary School, Arla Howe-Speirs from East Craigs Primary School, Elise Ballinger from Preston Street Primary School, will feature in all Edinburgh secondary schools.
The posters are part of a move by the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure a consistent approach to waste management in schools across the city.
From after the Easter holidays (April 25th) dry-mixed recycling and food bins will be offered to all primary, secondary and special education need schools in the capital.
Schools will be supported with information and materials helping to show what items can be placed in each bin, as well as materials, including lesson plans, aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of recycling as the city moves towards its target of net zero emissions by 2030.
The move follows on from a primary school Youth Climate Summit held in the run up to COP26 last year, which found that pupils overwhelmingly wanted more recycling facilities in their schools, to help tackle waste and support climate action.
Leader of the Council, Adam McVey said: “We know for many schools in Edinburgh, taking steps to become more sustainable and cutting our carbon footprint has become part of daily life.
“These fantastic posters really help to highlight the importance of recycling and the benefits that it can bring to Edinburgh, from helping to protect our wildlife, to turning food waste into electricity.
“And, we hope this campaign will help to provide schools who just need a little extra support, to make it as easy as possible for pupils, teachers and school staff to make changes, that make a difference and help create a cleaner, greener city.”
Deputy Leader of the Council, Cammy Day said: “Highlighting the environmental and social benefits of cutting down on waste and making it even easier to recycle in schools across the city, will help introduce green habits to Edinburgh’s young people which will last a lifetime.
“It’s really important we all get in the habit of disposing of our waste correctly and reusing and recycling where we can. Making sure there are the same systems and approach to waste in schools across the city will make it even easier for pupils and school staff to help Edinburgh reach its climate targets.”