News — Schools sign up with the Oran Group to recycle waste
Wednesday 11 October 2006
Stirling’s schools are increasing their recycling efforts thanks to a new agreement between Stirling Council and local waste management business the Oran Group. Since the start of the new school year in August pupils at Stirling High School have been trialling the initiative which is now being offered to all schools in the area.
The partnership between Stirling Council and the Oran Group enables schools to recycle materials that were not previously collected, including all plastics and cans. The recycling process begins with the Oran Group supplying and distributing plastic bags to schools for pupils to collect their recyclable materials in. The bags are then uplifted by the Oran Group and taken to their materials recycling facility (MRF) based in Grangemouth, where the materials are sorted into specific types and then either granulate or baled, ready to be distributed for re-use, for example aluminium from the cans collected by pupils can be re-used to produce new soft drink cans.
Speaking on behalf of Stirling High’s Eco Schools Club, school technician Trudi Wood said, “The Eco-Club is well supported by pupils and staff and in the last year we recycled over 15 tonnes of paper alone. We are always looking at ways to improve on what we have achieved and are now lucky enough to be supported by the Oran Group, a local business, who is now helping us to recycle many things we were not able to recycle before like cans and plastics.
“The most important thing the Eco Club has done for the school as a whole is to raise awareness on environmental issues and this will hopefully encourage pupils to think about their own future and how they can make a difference to it.”
Councillor John Paterson praised the efforts of everyone involved. He said, “It’s pleasing to see that our young people are so committed to recycling. The waste education that Stirling Council provides in schools is really paying off. The young people are really enthusiastic at school and at home where they tend to make sure that the right waste goes into the right bin.”
Speaking on behalf of the Oran Group, Ben Ballantyne, General Manager UK said “we are delighted to be working in partnership with Stirling Council. Together, we can successfully encourage and facilitate the recycling of an increased variety of materials within local schools. As leaders within the waste management industry, we strive to help individuals and businesses improve their recycling habits and we hope that this initiative will make a difference both now and in the future for the pupils involved”.
The high schools already committed to joining the initiative after the mid-term holiday are Bannockburn High, Dunblane High, St. Modans, McLaren High and Wallace High. It is expected that the remaining high schools will be signing up shortly afterwards. Once the high schools are up and running primary schools will also be invited sign up.
For further information regarding this initiative, please contact Rebecca Mingay, Marketing and PR Manager; 01259 723240; rebecca.mingay@orangroup.co.uk
