School’s prize: A can of worms (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Dedham school’s prize: A can of worms

12:00pm Tuesday 1st February 2011 in News

A BOOKLET explaining why we should recycle our leftover food has won pupils a prize.

Schools across Colchester were challenged to create a story, picture, poem, song or video, encouraging food waste recycling.

Dedham Primary School’s entry, an illustrated booklet, took the top prize in the competition, run by Colchester Council and the organisation, Beecycle.

Its prize was a set of Wiggo Pods – £120 wormeries which teach youngsters how food waste can be broken down into compost by worms.

Children add food waste to the pods and watch as worms turn into soil in just only weeks. Seeds can then be planted and the pods’ self-watering system helps the seeds to grow.

Martin Hunt, councillor responsible for street and waste services, said: “It was an excellent way of educating and informing children about environmental issues, and the impact of our actions on the world around us.

“Learning tools such as these highlight the importance of environmental preservation, so children can be inspired to keep the areas where they live green and sustainable.”