Pupils at Inshes Primary School in Inverness take a stand on environmental concerns
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Determined pupils at an Inverness primary have successfully lobbied for their own blue bin.
The school is taking part in Unicef’s Rights Respecting Schools initiative, which aims to make schools “inspiring places to learn, where children are respected.”
So taking up the challenge laid down by Unicef, Class P2a wrote to Cllr Ken Gowans to explaining why they wanted a blue bin so they could play a larger part in doing more for the planet.
One pupil named Phoebe wrote: “We want to recycle plastic but can’t” because the class did not have its own bin.
Her classmate Maria explained what was required: “Please give us a bin so we can put plastic bottles in it and please give us some people to take our plastic away.”
Finally, Emilie revealed the main reason the class wanted the bin was “for the plastic bottles because I would like to save the animals.”
Responding to the children, Cllr Gowans wrote: “I think it is very important that you chose to write to me, as an elected member, to let me know what you think and how you feel I can help you.
“I am very impressed that you all know that plastic can be very bad for our planet. We all need to look after our planet because the planet looks after all of us.
"When silly people throw plastic away carelessly they may hurt animals, mammals and birds.
“So, we all need to make sure everyone helps to take care and protect all living things from unwanted plastics by making sure we recycle.
"We can also recycle many other things too, such as paper, cardboard and glass.
“It is so good that you all understand how important it is to look after the environment, that means everything that is all around us. I will be delighted to help to get a blue bin for your classroom, to help you to help the earth.”
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Gowans said: “After some persuasion, with council officers I was able to fulfil my duty as their local councillor and I am delighted that a blue bin was delivered on Friday.
“The children are very pleased and excited. This is a tangible result of them exercising their rights and demonstrates that elected members are elected to serve everyone in their communities.
“Great credit must be given to the staff at Inshes Primary School for teaching the children about their rights, but especially to Miss MacIsaac of P2a.”
