Even though there were already recycling bins outside, almost no one used them correctly. This was confirmed by Eco6’s spot surveys back in the autumn term. They realised that recycling bins needed to have distinctive openings, be weather and seagull-proof, and have excellent durability. Online research narrowed their choices down - the only problem was that their bins were hundreds of pounds each.

With the total cost expected to be over £700, the children’s attention turned to fundraising. In tune with the group’s ethos, they set up a stall at Portishead Primary’s Christmas fair selling dozens of hand-crafted paper boxes filled with treats, recycled Christmas cards and nearly new toys, games and accessories. An after-school cake sale brought the total raised to £230, and with a donation from the school eco-committee, eco6 had raised £350: enough for one of the bins they wanted.

Still short of their £700 target, the Headteacher Lucy Sargent suggested that the children contact the PTA. They wrote a letter to, and within days had set up a meeting with, the PTA big boss, Dioné Jarvis. In a Dragon’s Den-style, tension-filled exchange, eco6 members made a strong and persuasive case for a £350 investment. They provided Dioné with the fine detail she needed and a week later an email confirmed that the PTA were in!

Eco6 had imagined that the actual purchase of a bin would be easy so when during a conference phone call the salesman tried to get them to buy a different model for a higher price the children positively bristled with irritation. Fortunately for them, Mr Parrot, PPS’s new business manager, had already coached them in the dark art of negotiation, and a fair price - within budget - was soon agreed upon.

With the two bins now in hand, Eco6 set to work writing the script and creating a PowerPoint to explain to the school where they would be located and how they should be used. The new bins were positioned alongside a brown composting bin and black general waste bin and young members of the PPS school community soon started making the right choices. They are especially pleased that crisp packets can be collected up and taken to a local supermarket for recycling. A house crisp packet recycling competition helped to focus young minds further.

The whole project has taken Eco6 a lot of time and effort, but it’s been worth it for the skills they’ve acquired along the way. These children can now consider themselves to be evidence gatherers, fundraisers, persuasive communicators, negotiators and team players. More than these, they are becoming outward-looking young people with the knowledge that they can do more for their planet than they ever realised.