Tidy youngsters are cleaning up!

Mar 12 2009 by Gavin Pennie, Paisley Daily Express

YOUNGSTERS and staff from another school have joined our campaign to keep Renfrewshire looking spick and span.

The team at St Fillan’s Primary in Houston rolled up their sleeves to demonstrate their determination to keep their area clean and free from litter as part of the highly successful Clean Renfrewshire campaign.

Armed with litter pickers, bin bags and the support of the Clean Renfrewshire team, 30 pupils targeted the grounds in and around their local shops in Crosslea Crescent.

Following the launch of the campaign – which is being led by Renfrewshire Council, with support from the Paisley Daily Express – in May 2008, over 900 volunteers from a wide variety of youth and community groups and schools have taken part in around 50 clean-ups.

The primary seven pupils from St Fillan’s decided to take part in their first external clean-up and were encouraged by their teacher Alison Cleary after learning about key environmental topics that highlighted the effects of pollution and litter.

Youngsters decided to clear up Crosslea Crescent as many of them shop there and identified it as a problem area.

Their hard work and determination paid off as an impressive 18 bags were collected and recycled on the day.

The school itself is currently working towards Eco Schools Green Flag status and the pupils pride themselves on maintaining a clean playground and garden.

They have a litter rota in place, with all pupils taking turns to monitor litter around the school.

Ms Cleary said: “I am very proud of my class and what they achieved. They are all very enthusiastic about litter issues and enjoy learning about the environment.

“I think the Clean Renfrewshire campaign has definitely helped our pupils to see the benefits of taking care of the environment. Addressing environmental issues when children are young, enables them to understand and continue green habits which will help keep our community tidy.”

Matthew Farquhar, 11, was one of the pupils involved in the Houston clean-up and he said: “I really enjoyed using the litter pickers and helping to clean the area.

“We managed to fill lots of green bags and the shops looked really different after we had finished.

“Hopefully, everyone will help to keep them clean and tidy from now on.”