Green-fingered pupils get composting

Children at a Cannock Chase primary school hailed as a leading eco-school has added another success to its green credentials.

Gorsemoor Primary School in Heath Hayes was awarded Eco Status two years ago but has now gone even further after teaming up with Cannock Chase Council to take up composting at the school.

The school contacted the council's recycling officer Anthony Morris who has visited the school on a number of occasions.

Mr Morris spoke to children and staff to guide them through the process and ensure they had all the right equipment.

The school has set up its own eco-team which collects compost and members even wear their own high-visibility jackets.

All children at the school are involved in recycling paper, plastic and ink cartridges.

Anthony Morris said: "It has been a pleasure to go into Gorsemoor Primary School to speak to the children and staff about the environmental benefits of composting and how to get the best results. Everyone at the school should be commended for their recycling efforts and achievements."

Teacher and eco-team leader Nina Payne said: "Recycling has now become embedded into our everyday lives. "Members of the eco team are very proud to be wearing their jackets and working towards making our school a more sustainable environment."

Encouraging composting across the area is a key aim of the district council's strategy to cut the amount of rubbish it is taking to landfill.

Home composting reduces the amount of organic waste which is taken to landfill in addition to providing free fertiliser for the garden.

In a bid to increase the amount of composting the council introduced a new service to allow householders to put cardboard and food waste from kitchens into their brown bin to be recycled. Anthony Morris added: "Composting is easy and good for the environment. It also provides nutrient-rich fertiliser for your garden."