200 Students Join Us For A Truly ‘Rubbish Day Out’

Together with our friends at Clean Cornwall and the Eden Project we asked Cornwall’s students; “What role can you play to help stop litter?” during two great weeks that saw us travel the length and breadth of the county.

On 21 March 2016, in a bid to encourage more young people to think about litter and its impact on the environment we joined forces with Clean Cornwall and the Eden Project to host a ‘Rubbish Day Out’ at Eden bringing to a close the Cornwall Be The Change Education Programme in style.

The event saw eight primary schools and eight secondary schools from across Cornwall pitching against each other to win a newly created ‘Be the Change’ schools award that included a £500 grant, a Fal River Enterprise Boat trip and a handcrafted glass trophy by Jo Downs.

Throughout March, we visited schools to deliver litter and waste themed workshops with the aim of getting students to think about how they can ‘Be the Change’ and help create litter free communities. You can download the Be The Change workshop materials here.

Students from each of the participating schools were asked to design their own ‘Anti-Litter Action Plans’ and then pitch them as part of a ‘Rubbish Day Out’ at Eden.

On arrival at the ‘Rubbish Day Out’ each school was matched with a member of the ‘Pitch Crew’ and introduced to the judging panel. These anti-litter experts included Doctors of science communication, big wave surfers, refuse collection supervisors, locally renowned beach protectors and marine initiative Fishing For Litter.

The activities kicked off with a fast and furious fact finding mission where students asked the anti-litter experts for their expertise to help fine tune their ‘lightning pitches’. The children then moved on to a ‘Trasher Hunt’ around the Biomes, and five children earned themselves free cinema tickets courtesy of WTW Cinemas in reward for their anti-litter exploring skills.

With just 3 minutes and 33 seconds to pitch their ‘Anti-Litter Action Plans’ the atmosphere during the pitch process was electric. The judges listened intently to the students’ ideas, which ranged from prototype interactive recycling bins, waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling, to exploding litter films and thought provoking songs. Emerging victorious from Eden’s very own ‘Dragons Den’, Grade-Ruan Primary School’s colour coded ‘Bin Backpacks’ and Penair Secondary School’s ‘Litter Olympics’ were announced as winners of the inaugural ‘Be The Change’ Schools Award.

Amidst the excitement of the day, for the brave and curious students, there was the lure of the ‘Helmet of Truth’. Once wearing the ‘Helmet of Truth’ students were protected with anonymity. Then and only then were they asked if, after taking part in ‘Be The Change’, they should care about litter in the environment!

Exhausted, smiling and well and truly inspired the day ended with a commitment from the winning schools to deliver their ‘Anti Litter Action Plans’ in line with World Oceans Day on 8 June 2016.

Extra Information

Schools Involved
Goonhavern Primary School, Connor Downs Academy, Grade-Ruan, Newquay Junior School, Brannel School, Humphrey Davey School, Marazion School, Richard Lander School, Penponds School, Cape Cornwall, Penair School, Wadebridge Primary School, Tregadillett CP School, St Ives School, Looe Community Academy

Grant Award Judges
Cllr Joyce Duffin, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Environment and a ‘Face of Cornwall’
Andy Hughes, Environmental Photographer
Kirstie Francis, Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Amy Walker, Cornwall Rural Community Council
Harris Rothchild, St Ives Surf School
Sam Hudspith, Volunteer Cornwall

Pitch Hosts
Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive Surfers Against Sewage
Simon Ferris, Refuse Collection Supervisor Cory Environmental and a ‘Face of Cornwall’
Delia Webb and Tracey, Lego Lost at Sea and Delia is a ‘Face of Cornwall’
Rachel Yates, Pirate FM
Clare Leverton, Fishing for Litter and Francis from Fishing for Litter is a ‘Face of Cornwall’
Roger Catchpole, North Hill Community Litter Project Lead Volunteer
Sam Lamiroy, Wavelength Magazine and Pro Surfer.
Jayce Robinson, Rip Curl Pro Surfer and St Ives Surf School graduate
Freddie Strickland SAS Merchandise Co-ordinator
Dr Jo Henley , SciArt Solutions Education Consultant and Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University
Nathan Lance, LEAP Design Studio – Lead Creative
Tamsin Floyd, Beach Clean Family Leader and Ruby’s Mum
Gill Horsley, SAS Lead Volunteer
Jo Wakeham, SAS Lead Volunteer
Nikki Willows, SAS Lead Volunteer and Outdoor Play Consultant & Trainer

Thanks also to the photographers, Irene Mendez Cruz, Viki Blackmore, Anthony Slocombe, Phil Wade and Daz for donating their time and incredible images.