Partnership helping to turn the tide on plastic waste

A group of five primary school children from Huddersfield, known as the Seaside Savers, have recruited leading UK homebuilder, Barratt Homes, and waste management specialists, Reconomy, to help cut down on single-use plastic in Hull and keep plastics out of the sea.The Seaside Savers – Joe Lindgren, Ben Brocklebank, Kaesey Lister, Amelia Gallagher-Ward and MaKenzie Gallagher-Ward – from Withernsea Primary School, collected a staggering 10,000 plastic bottles throughout the summer holidays by taking part in litter picks both in the community and on the beach.The five eco-warriors handed over their countless bags of plastic bottles to Barratt Homes and their waste management service partner, Reconomy last week at Barratt Homes’ Cherry Tree Court development in Woodmansey. Reconomy, is now repurposing the children’s bottles to produce two friendship benches’ which will be installed at Withernsea Primary School in the near future.Helena Caulfield, Sales Adviser at Cherry Tree Court development commented: “It was lovely to meet the children who have worked so hard to preserve our beautiful coastline here in Hull. Barratt Homes are committed to supporting environmental projects – at Cherry Tree Court we have already installed, Bat Boxes, Caves and Swift Bricks to provide new homes for wildlife in the area. The friendship benches will be a wonderful accolade to mark the Seaside Saver’s great achievement.”Tony Filson, Corporate Account Manager at Reconomy noted: “Reconomy is delighted to have been a part of this fantastic Barratt Homes initiative. Plastic waste is a major threat to the environment and it is critical that we continue raising awareness of this important issue. It is wonderful to see children so dedicated to improving their local environment and thanks to their efforts the school is getting two new friendship benches.”Martin Lidgren, Staff Governor and Trustee at Withernsea Primary School, added: “It has been a fantastic effort by the children over the past few months. They have raised awareness about the problems that single use plastic is causing our planet. They have collected over 10,000 bottles from our local area and are over the moon that they are now being made into something useful for their local school to use for decades to come.”Click here to read more.