Pupils from the Eco-Council at Penygawsi Primary School have shown true “Eco Pupil Power” and joined the fight against litter after a special visit from the Council’s Enforcement Team.
The Eco-Council forms part of the schools Eco-Schools initiative and is made up of pupils from the school aged from 7-11 years. The Eco-Council had noticed some environmental problems in the surrounding area of Llantrisant and decided to take action. The pupils contacted the Council’s Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness Officer to see what could be done to tackle dog fouling and litter in the area.
As a result the Streetcare Enforcement and Awareness Team went along to the school and took the pupils of the Eco-Council around Llantrisant placing signs up in key areas warning eco criminals about the fines they could receive if they keep offending. The pupils also got to talk to dog walkers to raise their concerns.
During the visit, the Council’s Enforcement Team highlighted the issues they face on a daily basis and educated the children on how they can become greener everyday by following simple tips – like recycling at home, keeping their sweet wrappers in their pocket until they find a bin and encouraging their parents and friends to do the same.
Councillor Anthony Christopher, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Frontline Services, said: “How an environment looks can have a significant impact on the quality of life of the people who live within it, especially when this is close to a school and children and parents have to walk past it every day before the school day begins.
“Issues such as vandalism and litter can make an area look uncared for and this can affect how residents feel – no one wants to live in an area that is unattractive and neglected.
“We were so pleased to have the support of the pupils at Penygawsi Primary, who joined in the fight to keep our County Borough clean and green for future generations.