Plastic pledge at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools

January 31, 2019

Eco campaigners Mari, Lucia and Alaw.

Hundreds of children and staff at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools have formed an alliance to cut the amount of plastic they use.

The introduction of refillable water bottles and new packed lunches for sporting fixtures have, together with eco assemblies and competitions, increased awareness among the schools’ community.

Monmouth School for Girls and Monmouth School Girls’ Prep are proud to have supported the town in achieving Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Town status.

A special plastic-free celebration, organised by the Plastic Free Monmouth Steering Group, is taking place on Friday 22nd February.

And Nick Meek, Head of Geography and Eco Committee Co-ordinator at Monmouth School for Girls, will receive a certificate to mark Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools’ commitment to the scheme.

“Pupils in Monmouth are enthusiastic about reducing their use of plastic,” said Mr Meek.

“We are working hard to reduce single-use plastic in the schools and to promote refillable water bottles.

“The prep school led the way by removing plastic bottles in their packed lunches and encouraging pupils to bring their own refillable water bottles.

“This initiative has now been extended to the senior school.

“Miss Lou Scott, Director of Sport, has designed a new refillable water bottle for pupils to buy and she has also organised a large plastics recycling bin for the games pitches.”

Sixth Form student, Myfanwy, has been working with Mrs Karen Wood, Catering Manager at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, to change packed lunches for sporting fixtures, to further reduce plastic.

The schools’ Catering Department recycles all food, cardboard, paper and glass.

“Water bottles, crisps and chocolate bars have been removed, and replaced with plant-based pasta pots, wooden forks and a school-made flapjack,” said Mr Meek.

“Our efforts to reduce plastic will continue throughout 2019 with even more students and staff supporting this wonderful community initiative.”