Devon pupils to discuss waste and recycling at annual summit

Around 80 pupils from secondary schools across Devon will attend the annual Waste Summit at County Hall on Thursday (14 March).

The event is a popular, thought-provoking and free event which enables students to explore waste, recycling and related sustainability issues in the county.

Students from nine schools and colleges will take part in group activities which test and challenge their existing knowledge of how to reduce, reuse and recycle waste. There will also be talks and workshops held throughout the day from 9:30am to 3pm.

Last year in Devon, over 196,000 tonnes of material was recycled rather than being sent to landfill. The waste summit encourages students to think about how they can act differently which could contribute to Devon improving its recycling rate which currently stands at 55.2%, one of the highest rates in England.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities, said: "People in Devon deserve a great deal of credit for helping Devon to achieve one of the highest recycling rates in the country. They have embraced recycling to take us from 2% of waste being recycled 20 years ago, to over 55% now. Of course, there's always more that could be done and the summit aims to get pupils to think about waste issues such as reducing packaging on modern consumer goods. Since the first Waste Summit in 2004, over 550 pupils have attended this event and it always receives positive feedback which shows that it consistently challenges and enthuses pupils on how they can make a difference.”

Pupils and teachers are also invited to bring a ‘waste free’ packed lunch, which uses as little packaging as possible or demonstrates the most innovative way of feeding a group.

For more information go to www.recycledevon.org/atschool