Pupils at Kaurilands Primary School in Titirangi have been learning about the importance of both litter and recycling through a series of interactive learning sessions involving the whole school, coordinated by Waitakere City Council's Solid Waste Business Unit and the school's Enviro Club lead teacher, Jill Larbey. The school had introduced recycle bins in order to reduce their levels of waste to landfill but there were some initial teething problems - pupils and parents alike were very good at putting their litter in the bin, but some education was needed to encourage correct use of the right bin, to achieve a tidy school and reduce the levels of contamination in the recycling bins. The school held an Enviro week incorporating a whole range of activities and culminating in a Grand Recycle Bin Draw. Pupils brought upto 3 named recyclable items to put in the correct bins and a prize draw was held with the winners receiving Be A Tidy Kiwi drink bottles and bags, caps and beanies from the recycling contractor, Onyx, and divided lunchboxes (to encourage litter-free lunches) generously donated by Sistema. The day was a great success and pupils dressed in the colours of the Waitakere recycle bin - blue and yellow - to really drive the "right bin" message home.
Launch Of "Be a Tidy Kiwi" Out West. What Would You Do With $400000?
At the moment Waitakere City Council spends in excess of $400,000 every year removing litter and illegally dumped rubbish! Just think where else that money could be spent – swimming pool upgrades, parks, library books, events…
As part of the regional Be A Tidy Kiwi campaign, Council is promoting the litter-free message through the Learning Centre at the Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station in Henderson.
All school groups who visit the Refuse Station will learn about the cost of litter to society, and who pays. Children and parents are encouraged to think about ways to reduce litter and are invited to sign a pledge for the BATK wall at the Learning Centre, committing to keeping their school and community litter-free. BATK T-shirts, hats and drinks bottles are supplied to the schools as prizes for litter and rubbish related projects.
Out on the streets of Waitakere our Council litter pickers will be wearing BATK hats and T shirts. Look out for them – they may have goodies to give away when they see people putting rubbish in the litter bins!
