Kids are cleaning up!

May 28 2009 by Cameron Hay, Paisley Daily Express

HUNDREDS of dedicated primary school children are helping us in the fight against rubbish.

More than 220 children from six different schools in Paisley and elsewhere in Renfrewshire have taken part in a number of different clean ups to do their bit for our Clean Renfrewshire campaign.

Armed with litter pickers, green bags and the support of the council’s Clean Renfrewshire team, 35 pupils form St Fergus’ Primary School and more than 85 pupils, teachers and staff from St Charles’ Primary School, in the town, have helped in the war on grime and rubbish around their areas.

Pupils from other schools, including 35 from Newmains Primary School, Renfrew, 35 from East Fulton Primary School, Linwood, and more than 30 from Cochrane Castle Primary School, Johnstone, have show their enthusiasm and dedication towards the joint campaign launched by the Paisley Daily Express in conjunction with Renfrewshire Council.

Since it’s launch in May 2008 more than 2,490 volunteers from a wide variety of youth and community groups and schools have taken part in over 80 clean ups to remove a staggering 1,062 bags of rubbish from Renfrewshire.

Each of the schools worked hard and collectively removed an impressive 18 bags of rubbish, including crisps, sweet packets, papers and plastic bottles.

And the children have played an integral role in the campaign and have been enthusiastic about taking part to help create a cleaner environment.

Maureen Nugent, acting deputy head teacher at St Fergus’ Primary School said: “The Clean Renfrewshire campaign has been great for Renfrewshire and the fact that so many children have taken part in clean ups with their schools shows the positive impact of the campaign.

“The pupils’ enthusiasm is very inspiring and I hope that it encourages other groups to take action in their areas.

“We have been carrying out clean ups over the last year and we are now working towards our third green flag. I am really proud of the achievements made by all pupils and I look forward to helping to create a cleaner Renfrewshire.”

David McGeoch, P6 pupil at St Fergus Primary School added: “The school area now looks so different. Taking part has made me aware about litter and the environment.

“I always make sure that I put my rubbish in the right bin and recycle when I can.”

Lynn Maxwell, class teacher at Newmains Primary School also praised the children at her school who’ve been involved.

She said: “The children have really shown a such huge amount of dedication and commitment in their bid to improve our environment.

“The atmosphere was great on the day and the children are looking forward to the next big clean up.

“We are now working towards our second green flag for the school and that will be a huge achievement for the school and all the pupils.”

Renfrewshire Wardens have recently taken to the streets in the next stage of the campaign and issue fixed penalty notices to those who continue to drop litter or allow their dogs to foul the streets and parks.

These wardens have the power to issue £50 fixed penalty notices for littering and £40 fixed penalty notices for dog fouling.