St Mary's Primary School tackles single use plastic pollution

By Scott Dawson Advertising

19 May 2021

After a meeting with MP Sara Britcliffe and captain of industry Tony Grimshaw OBE, pupils fromSt. Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School, Clayton-le-Moors, are again leading the way in recycling single use plastics.

The pupils of St Mary's RC Primary School in Clayton-le-Moors are an inspirational group of children. They have been teaching the world how to give plastic a second life by making ecobricks. Ecobricks are plastic bottles stuffed tight with single use plastic.

The year three children have made enough ecobricks to construct an entire classroom. MP for Hyndburn Sara Britcliffe and responsible plastic housewares manufacturer Tony Grimshaw OBE (Director of What More UK) were invited to visit the school to see the latest project.

Image Caption: The inspirational children of St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary School with Sara Britcliffe MP (left), Head Teacher Michael Mashiter (centre left), Year Three Teacher Mrs Lucy Southworth (centre right) and Tony Grimshaw OBE Director of What More UK (right)

Ms Britcliffe MP commented: "We've had a wonderful afternoon at St Mary's Primary speaking to the year three children about all they're doing and the messages they're getting out to save the environment. We took What More with us to talk about reusing plastics, and the benefits of that."

"The issue of plastic packaging is close to the hearts of the children in the school" said Head Teacher Michael Mashiter.

"Our children are the next generation and it's important they understand about their carbon footprint. We've been looking at exciting ways to recycle waste plastics."

Image caption: Tony Grimshaw presenting in the outdoor eco-classroom

Mr Mashiter, along with head girl Molly Perkins and head boy Isaac Ryan, presented Ms Britcliffe with a book documenting their eco-journey, collated over three years. This book shows how deeply the school and its pupils are committed to caring for the environment. The pupils hope Ms Britcliffe will pass the book on to Boris Johnson the Prime Minister.

What More UK, the Hyndburn based housewares manufacturer, were invited along to talk to the children about what they are doing to reuse plastic. 

Company Director Tony Grimshaw explained to the children that What More is also creating reusable products from "single use" plastics. The firm's popular Upcycled range of housewares is made from 95% recycled post-consumer plastics. In a single day they manage to divert around 40,000 tonnes of waste plastic from landfill.

Mr Grimshaw commented: "Single use plastic is drastic. You can give things a second life. Plastic can have a second life. Everything can be recycled if you're creative about it, and that's what these inspirational kids are doing."

Children at the school have also been using What More's Wham boxes as improvised green houses to grow vegetables for the school's kitchen.

"They're the best greenhouses in the world" commented one enthusiastic child.

"These children are our future and we need to make sure we are working with them and working with businesses to make sure they get the future they deserve" said Ms Britcliffe MP.

Image caption: Head boy Isaac Ryan and head girl Molly Perkins present Sara Britcliffe MP with a book on the school's ecojourney to present to Boris Johnson

The school children are determined to continue making their ecobricks for bigger and more impressive projects in the future.

For more information about St. Mary's Primary School in Clayton-le-Moors, including details of the ecobrick project and footage from the BBC North West's coverage in 2019 visit www.st-marys-clayton-le-moors.lancs.sch.uk.

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin