Campaigning pupils of Cardross Primary are taking action to reduce the use of plastic in the school.

The school’s Eco committee, which brings together pupils from P1 – P7, took the decision to join the national ‘schools against plastic’ campaign, run by Surfers Against Sewage.

The Eco committee launched the campaign to the whole school in assembly on 9th February.

Mrs Girling, Principal Teacher, who runs the Eco Committee, said:

“The first part of our campaign was to boycott the use of single use plastic bottles and pupils were able to exchange their plastic bottles for reusable water bottles.

The Eco committee, along with the school kitchen staff, have been monitoring the use of single use plastics at break and lunchtime and were astounded to find that we, on average throw away 115 straws a day which equates to 21,000 a year!

We also found that each day single use plastic was used for sandwiches, fruit boxes and plastic spoons.

This is something the pupils have become interested in through lessons about sustainability.

The next part of our mission is to have a litter pick to see which single use plastic makes the most litter in our playground.”

The council does not use plastic straws in canteens, with the exception of those which come supplied on drink cartons, and is in talks with suppliers about alternatives.

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, Policy Lead for Education said:

“It’s so important that our young people learn how to take action to improve things that matter to them. Congratulations to the Eco Committee for their fantastic campaign.”