School play whets the appetite for new waste collection service
A fun interactive play performed at Cheltenham schools will be informing pupils about the new weekly food waste collection service for all households
Featuring characters ‘Scratch the rat’ and ‘Mabel Mouse’, the play entitled ‘Too much on your plate?’ is aimed at primary school children.
Running on weekdays from 28 February until 11 March, the performance focuses on the harmful effects of burying food waste in landfill and encourages children to make sure their parents take full advantage of the new food waste collection service, introduced from 4 April.
All of the food waste collected will be composted on an industrial scale, so none of it will be wasted.
The play, featuring two Stroud based actors Kim Baker and Eley Furrell, has been written and funded by Gloucestershire County Council. All of the props have been made using recycled materials and various items from charity shops and reuse organisations such as Freegle.
Cllr Stan Waddington, Cabinet member for waste at the county council said: “The play is an excellent way to engage with young people about a very important issue. We waste far too much food – about a third of what we buy!
“Firstly, we need to reduce our food waste as much as we can. I understand we will always have some leftovers to dispose of, so I welcome the new waste collection scheme in Cheltenham, which I am sure will boost recycling figures significantly and cut the amount of waste that goes to landfill.”
Cllr Roger Whyborn, Cheltenham Borough Council’s Cabinet member for sustainability, continues: “The best time in life to think about recycling is while you are still at primary school. I am sure the play will help children understand why recycling is important, and help to form good lifetime habits.”
So far, 22 schools in Cheltenham are taking part - schools wishing to book a performance should do so as quickly as possible as slots are running out. Contact Hannah Gray, Waste Education Officer at Gloucestershire County Council, on 01452 425872 or email her: hannah.gray@gloucestershire.gov.uk
23 February 2011