PUPILS at Liverpool schools will be using their modelling and art skills to boost the city’s recycling rate.

Pupils of Liverpool will be taking part in a competition to create a figurehead – to be called Recycle Michael – for the city’s recycling drive. The schools are being asked to create a model or drawing depicting Recycle Michael, which will be used to reinforce the message of reducing, reusing and recycling.

Models will be constructed out of clean recyclable materials such as paper, cans, cardboard and plastic drinking bottles by children working together in classes.

The competition ¸which is open to all primary and secondary schools, was launched by the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, at Sacred Heart Primary School.

Mayor Anderson said:

“We need to recycle more in this city – we are improving and we have increased our recycling rate by about 8% but we want to cut the amount we send to landfill by a lot more. We have an ambitious target of recycling 55% of our waste but we are determined that we will achieve it – and it is our young people who are often the keenest to recycle. This was brought home to me at an environmental summit I organised in which there was a schools art display. It showed not only what talented youngsters we have in the city but they are very aware about the importance of recycling. We are taking that a stage further and are harnessing their enthusiasm for recycling. I am sure they will take the message home to their families and help us all to recycle more. If we have pride in our city together we can make it greener and cleaner.”

The competition, which runs until June 1st, will be operated by the council’s Liverpool Environmental Advocate team (LEAT) and is the first stage of a programme in which the team will visit schools offering practical advice on recycling.

Councillor Steve Munby, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said:

“I’d like to see children coming back from school and encouraging their parents to recycle. They’re the best champions we could have.”

Councillor Nick Small, assistant mayor and cabinet member for education, said:

“Schools have an important role to play in getting over the recycling message and pupils are very aware of environmental issues. Recycle Michael is a really imaginative way of using pupils’ artistic talent and helping to spread the message about recycling.”

There will be two winning entries chosen, one from a secondary school and one from a primary school. Winners will receive trophies made from recycled material. All participating schools will receive a certificate.

Pictured are Mayor Anderson, Councillors Munby and Small and Scared Heart pupils launching Recycle Michael/