Scouts issued with recycling challenge

United Kingdom – The Scout Association along with the Recycle Now campaign from the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have thrown down a challenge to Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts across England and Wales to recycle as much plastics, paper, card, metal and glass packaging from around the home between now and the end of May.

The ‘Ready, Set, Recycle’ challenge will contribute to the Environmental Conservation Activity Badge for young people in Scouting. Members will learn which items can be recycled in their household collection, along with having access to recycling facts and tips to help complete the task. The Scout Group which recycles the most items will be awarded a group activity prize and goody bags from Recycle Now.

WRAP director Marcus Gover describes the initiative as ‘a positive way to engage the whole family and get them recycling more at home’. Hannah Kentish, UK Scouting’s national youth commissioner, adds: ‘Preserving our environment is very much part of Scouting’s core values.’ Well over 400 000 young people aged from six to 25 are members of the Scout Association.

In its April 2016 issue, Recycling International will be devoting a feature to the education of young people about recycling.