As part of Eco Week at NHEHS, Year 10 Eco Reps Zara F and Bea G went over to Junior School to talk to the Year 4 pupils about helping the environment and protecting the planet.

Zara and Bea’s main message was how important it was to recycle the plastics we use because if we don’t, they could end up in the ocean and polluting wildlife. Here’s what they spoke about:

“When plastic makes its way to the ocean it can harm sea animals like turtles, dolphins and fish. Recycling the plastic we use, gives the plastic a new use and items like plastic bottles can even be recycled into clothes. For example, did you know that our PE kit is made partially from plastic bottles? The first piece of plastic to be produced was in 1907 – over 100 years ago and that piece of plastic still exists because it will never fully biodegrade. Because plastic is relatively cheap to make, people buy it and think it gets recycled but consuming so much of it, does not guarantee that it will be recycled.

Small things like getting glass bottled milk delivered to your house instead of buying plastic bottles can make a big impact. The Eco Reps also encouraged the Year 4s to take bags you have already bought to the supermarket, reuse and recycle your bottles and when using plastic, make sure that it is cleaned and put into the recycling. Also try to get your parents to buy products with the least amount of plastic wrapping from the supermarkets.  Another way to help the planet is to cut down on meat consumption – even cutting out meat from one meal a week can really make a difference. Producing 1kg of beef produces more CO2 than going for a 3-hour drive while leaving all the lights on at home. Most of the greenhouse gas emissions are emitted in the form of methane in which a cow releases gas. The protein and iron you get from animals, can come from the plants you eat, so by switching to plant based products you are not only reducing the amount of plastic, but also getting the same nutrients you would as when you eat meat.”

Zara and Bea then spoke about Active Travel and asked the Year 4s how they travelled to school – walking, by bike, public transport or by car.  They encouraged the girls to try walking 2, 3 or even more times every week as this reduces our carbon dioxide emissions greatly, as well as being fun and improving your mood and concentration. They were delighted to hear that the whole of 4F walked, cycled or scooted to school on Wednesday!! 

The Year 10s then quizzed the Juniors on what they thought was good and bad for the environment by getting them to give the various pictures a thumbs up or a thumbs down – needless to say, the Year 4s were very good at this! The Year 4s also had lots of great suggestions on how we can all continue to help the planet by more recycling, using wind turbines, taking trains instead of planes etc. In fact, there were so many ideas and enthusiasm that the session nearly overran!

Well done to both Year 10 and Year 4 – it’s fantastic to see how much you know and care about protecting the planet.