Winning school recycling illustrations hit the road

Date published: 16 June 2023

Winning entries from a primary school artwork competition are set to be emblazoned on the side of one of the council’s bin wagons.

The competition asked year five children from across the borough of Rochdale to design a comic strip-style story to fit in four frames around the importance of recycling and tackling climate change.

The high standard of entries meant judges were unable to select only one winner so five entries were finally chosen, with the top two favourites now featuring on a wagon.

The winning entry submitted by Imogen Duxbury-Hill from Smithy Bridge Primary School in Littleborough focussed on how recycling correctly can help protect our planet from climate change.

Her eye-catching design shows a planet struggling under the pressure of global warming and how throwing litter in the bin and recycling better can help our planet recover.

The second winning design came from Nomin Batmunkh from St Luke’s Primary School in Heywood, who again focussed on climate pressures, with a focus on saving turtles in the ocean by stopping the irresponsible disposal of plastic waste that can harm our sea creatures and wildlife.

Emily Robinson, also from St Luke’s, shared a story about putting the right items in the correct bin, while Sienna McLennan from Brimrod Community Primary School's design focussed on different ways to make a change to help the planet.

And finally, Ehianata Ehiorobo, also from Brimrod, created a story about saving the planet by reducing waste and picking up litter.

All five chosen entries have been made into animated gifs to be shared on the council’s social media channels and each received a food hero goody bag.

The council’s cabinet member for climate change and environment, Councillor Liam O’Rourke, said: “This competition was the perfect way to encourage primary-aged children to discuss and think about the important messages around how recycling correctly can make such a huge difference to our environment and the world we live in.

"It was wonderful to see such fantastic examples of artwork. The imagination and quality of the stories produced were outstanding. Thank you to every child who entered - we wish we could have selected more.”

Antonia Firth, deputy headteacher at Smithy Bridge Primary School, said “As a school, we feel it is important to educate our pupils on environmental issues and climate change, to raise awareness of its impact on our lives, and look at the ways in which we can all make a positive contribution to the preservation of our planet.

“It starts with the small things such as reducing waste, reusing, and recycling. Together we can make a difference. We are proud of Imogen and we are delighted that her message will be seen by many across Rochdale."

Kim Farrall, headteacher at St Luke’s Primary School, added: “Our year five children thoroughly enjoyed entering the competition and we are delighted that Nomin won. The children were amazed to see her poster printed on the recycling truck and hope that people across the borough will take notice of the important message displayed - to recycle and to look after our environment.”

The competition was just one of the ways the council engages with residents to help educate people of all ages across the borough through recycling lessons, events, workshops, and more.

If your school, business, or community group would like a fun and engaging recycling lesson or talk, find out more at rochdale.gov.uk/recycling