LOCAL SCHOOLCHILDREN HELP TO RECYCLE OVER 23,000 PLASTIC BOTTLES

Over 2000 children have benefitted from the installation of "Eco Greenhouses" in 18 local primary schools.  The children helped to collect over 23,000 waste plastic bottles which then became the walls and roofs of the greenhouses.  The three-year project was initiated by Newark Castle Rotary Club, which meets weekly at The Newark Showground.  The club was assisted by twenty one local and national companies and organisations, which provided a large proportion of the labour and funding. Additional finance came from Rotary's own District Fund. 

Throughout the period, the Newark Advertiser regularly reported as each school erected its own greenhouse.  John Barker, from the Rotary Club, told the Advertiser that the project was a great success, educating the children about waste, recycling, project planning and development and how to gain enjoyment and satisfaction from growing their own food.  John said "The timing of this project coincided with the strong publicity given by the world's media to the immense problems associated with plastic waste.  We are confident that this kind of activity will help the next generation to think constructively about improving the environment. The fact that young children and their parents could amass and make use of such a large mountain of waste plastic is amazing. They are to be congratulated.  Moving forward, we have now satisfied the demand from schools in our area, but Rotary Clubs throughout the UK are following our lead and introducing the scheme in their own areas.  Newark Castle Rotary Club is now looking to start new projects.  If any Advertiser readers want to help us, please contact our club via our website (www.newarkcastlerotary.org)". 

The following partnered Newark Castle Rotary Club in this Eco Project: AnchorFast Products (garden furniture) Doncaster; Waitrose, Newark; KNOWHOW (distributor) Newark; Asda, Newark; JCT600 (car dealer) Newark; Soild People (recruitment) Newark; Duncan & Toplis (solicitors) Newark; Duncan & Toplis (solicitors) Grantham; Veolia (waste management) Mansfield; Bakkavor (desserts) Newark; Derrys (construction) Newark; William Saunders (architects) Newark; Pratt & Gelsthorpe (car dealers) Newark; Newark & Sherwood Homes (housing services); Newark and Sherwood DC; UK Waste Solutions (waste solutions) Newark; Nordtra (contract furniture) Farndon; Primo Health Care (care of the elderly) Beeston; Liz Hobbs Group (concerts, events) Newark; Rototek (mouldings) Newark; Hill Holt Wood (eco forestry) Norton Disney.