NEWS RELEASES
Have yourself a 'green' Christmas
29th November 2006
SCHOOL children in the Horsham District are being encouraged to ‘think green’ over the Christmas period – by making decomposable festive wreaths.
A competition has been organised by Horsham District Council to challenge children to create Christmas wreaths which, when used, could go entirely into a composter.
A selection of schools has taken up the eco-challenge from Warnham, Southwater and Horsham.
Clare Bowen-Jones, Waste Awareness and Education Officer at Horsham District Council, explained the idea of the competition.
She said: “We want everyone to understand the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling our waste. If we can teach people when they’re young it means they’re more likely to think green and be waste-wise.
“The idea of this competition is to get children thinking about what can and can’t be recycled. Wreaths can be bought from shops, but some of them are unlikely to be recyclable or decomposable; we want children to make wreaths entirely of matter that can easily decompose.
“There are loads of things they could do; they could create natural wreaths by using items they find in the countryside like holly, ivy and pine cones – but please don’t start cutting down hedgerows!
“Alternatively you could go ultra-modern and make wreaths out of items like teabags, non-corrugated cardboard - for example cereal packets - and egg boxes. The only limit is your imagination!”
The wreaths will be judged by Clare and Cllr Robert Nye, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Public Health Control, in a couple of week’s time.
For more information on the wreath competition, or to find out more about waste awareness talks for schools, contact Clare on 01403 215591 or email clare.bowen-jones@horsham.gov.uk.
For more information on recycling and to download a personalised household recycling calendar go to the Council's website call 01403 733144.
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CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk