Bags of enthusiasm

Mar 26 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

A SMALL army of youngsters from a Paisley school has been waging war on grime crime.

The team of determined youngsters from St Mary’s Primary and Nursery armed themselves with bin bags to take part in our hugely-successful Clean Renfrewshire campaign.

The Paisley Daily Express has teamed up with Renfrewshire Council to stage the campaign to clean up the local area and instil some pride in our communities.

With litter pickers and black bags in hand, pupils from the St Mary’s Primary Eco Committee, supported by nursery youngsters, targeted an area of ground close to their school, in Maxwellton Road.

The area targeted is a popular play area for children, especially in summer, but it has been blighted by litter, such as crisp bags and juice bottles.

Working hard, the team collected over six bags of rubbish, leaving the area looking spotless.

It is now hoped that the children will take part in clean-ups on a regular basis.

The clean-up also helped to kick off the school’s own environmental campaign as they work towards securing their Green Flag award.

Claire Crumlish, primary two teacher and eco-school co-ordinator at the school, said: “I am delighted with the great job the children have done.

“They worked really hard and were very enthusiastic, showing their determination to create a spotless and litter-free area beside the school.

“By taking part in the clean-up, we hope to raise the children’s awareness about the importance of looking after their environment, make them realise that litter is an eyesore and deter them from dropping litter in the future.

“I hope also that they will inspire others to get involved in the Clean Renfrewshire campaign and demonstrate to the wider community that they are taking an active role in maintaining a clean area which we can all be proud of.”

Primary five pupil Jorg Irvine, aged nine, was among those who took part in the clean-up operation and he described it as “great fun”.

He added: “We all worked very hard and collected a lot of litter, including lots of plastic bottles. The area is now really tidy and I can’t wait to take part in another litter pick.”

Since the Clean Renfrewshire campaign was launched last May, more than 1,000 volunteers from a wide variety of youth and community groups and schools have taken part in more than 50 clean-ups.

Now the campaign has gone into its second phase with the introduction of Renfrewshire Wardens, who have taken to the streets to increase awareness of the need to maintain a clean environment.

They also have the power to issue £50 fixed penalty notices for littering and £40 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, demonstrating that Clean Renfrewshire means business.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board, said: “Groups such as St Mary’s Primary and Nursery School have significantly contributed to the great headway which has been made over the course of the last eight months to create a cleaner and tidier Renfrewshire.

“However, there is still scope for further improvement and more people must be encouraged to get on board.

“I am confident that we can all pull together and build on the success we have achieved so far to ensure Renfrewshire will be continued to be viewed as a bright and attractive place to live, work and to visit.”