News
Friday 17 November 2006
TV Star Helps Edinburgh and East Lothian Secondary Schools Make Waste History at Summit
Photo opportunity: Dr Bunhead demonstrates the hazards of sending waste to landfill, promoting waste prevention to Edinburgh and East Lothian secondary school pupils.
When: Tuesday 21 November
Time: 09:30am
Where: Music Hall, The Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh
Tom Pringle, alias Dr Bunhead from the television science show ‘Braniac’, will be helping pupils and teachers from Edinburgh and East Lothian secondary schools to reduce waste and help the environment.
Changeworks (formerly LEEP) in conjunction with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has set 21 November 2006 as the date for the ‘Make Waste History Summit for Schools 2006’ at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.
This annual event for secondary school pupils in Edinburgh and East Lothian will see 25 schools and 125 pupils and teachers in attendance. Alongside them will be around 90 professional waste educators from across Scotland attending SEPA’s annual Waste Network Conference.
The purpose of this joint event is to ensure that a consistent message goes to those involved in delivering and receiving waste education. Pupils and teachers will be empowered to change attitudes and behaviours towards waste in schools by drawing on the expertise of the waste educators, speakers and workshop providers.
The talks and workshops on the day will deliver the key message that active citizenship today will lead to a more sustainable tomorrow. This will be presented through a variety of presentations and workshops including Dr Bunhead, a keynote speech from Eco Schools Scotland Manager Kate Campbell, reuse projects Bits and Bobs and The Bike Station and Eco Schools such as Currie Community High, Dunbar Grammar, Forrester High and Tynecastle High.
Delegates at Make Waste History 2006 will be asked to pledge to implement waste prevention measures in their schools and a follow-up competition will challenge them to make a big effort to persuade others to join their campaign.
Tom Pringle said: “This is a great event to ensure that young people learn in a fun way that reducing waste and making informed decisions are important for protecting the environment and creating a sustainable future for generations to come.”
Clara Mitchell, SEPA’s Education Officer said: “As our awareness of waste recycling increases we have to look towards the challenge of preventing waste in the first place. Today’s event provides a unique opportunity to take an innovative approach to waste education. By bringing pupils and education professionals together we hope this challenge will be met with solutions that are both fun and good for the environment.”
For further information please contact:
Neil Fraser
Education Officer
Changeworks
T: 0131 538 7942
E: nfraser@changeworks.org.uk
Contact at event:
Clara Mitchell on: 07919 111 109
Notes to Editors:
The Make Waste History Summit was organised by the Waste Education Team at Changeworks (formerly known as LEEP) and is currently funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council and the Scottish Executive. The project aims to increase the level of waste prevention and recycling activity in Edinburgh and East Lothian schools by delivering extensive waste education services.
Changeworks exists to improve quality of life and to protect the environment.
CHANGEWORKS Resources for Life Ltd. is a company registered as a charity in Scotland and limited by guarantee. Charity No. SCO15144. Company No. SC103904. Registered Office: 36 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh EH6 5PY. VAT Reg. No. 703521966.
