Today the Sustainability Group and two classes from school went to find out all about recycling in East Lothian at the Kinwegar Recycling Centre near Wallyford. P2/3 and P3/4 were visiting in connection with their topics on Global Awareness, and the Sustainability Group were there to find out how we can make sure our school – and wider community – recycle as much as possible.
Mrs Mair ferried groups backwards and forwards to the centre as only 17 people could go at a time for safety reasons. Damien and Mo (Ella’s mum and dad)were there all morning to help us.
Joe and John from the centre took us to see where bin lorries empty their waste – most of which goes to landfill – and then to see where all the sorting happens for recycling. We learned what happens to all the skipfuls of recycling that people take to the site. Did you know that glass from bottles in East Lothian can be used to make water filters for sending to countries where clean water does not just come out of a tap? Or that paper and cardboard can be recycled 7 times before it is too weak to be used again? Or that fleeces can be made from recycled plastic. (We all had a look inside Mo’s jacket! There is a big label that explains that it was made from recycled bottles!)
We all found the trip very interesting and loved watching some of the machines crushing the rubbish! Now we will be watching to make sure we all (at home and at school) make sure we recycle as much as possible. Look out for the recycling police!!