Local pupils' artwork is taking to the streets as part of a campaign to encourage food waste recycling across North Warwickshire.
North Warwickshire Borough Council has introduced five new food waste collection vehicles, each featuring an Eco Superhero character specially designed by local children to help promote food waste recycling across the borough.
The designs were chosen as part of a competition that attracted an impressive 339 entries from local school pupils. After careful consideration, the winning entries were selected by a panel of North Warwickshire Borough Councillors, who were tasked with choosing the five designs that would feature on the Council's new food waste collection vehicles.
The five winning characters Eco-Pickle Power, Brock Lee, Eco-Eats, Super Pineapple and Avenger Avocado have now been transformed into colourful artwork displayed on the sides of the new food waste collection vehicles which are now operating throughout North Warwickshire.
The initiative was created to engage young people in environmental issues, celebrate their creativity and encourage residents to make the most of the food waste recycling service. The introduction of the dedicated food waste service forms part of the Government's Simpler Recycling initiative, which aims to make recycling easier and more consistent for residents across England.
To mark the launch, the vehicles visited the schools attended by the winning designers. The visits gave pupils and teachers the chance to see the new trucks up close and celebrate the children's achievements. The young designers were delighted to see their characters displayed on the vehicles, while classmates enjoyed learning more about recycling and the importance of reducing food waste.
Councillor Margaret Bell, Chair of the Community and Environment Board said:
"We were delighted with the response to the competition, which attracted 339 entries from talented young people across the borough. Choosing just five winners was no easy task, and councillors were incredibly impressed by the creativity and effort shown in every entry. The winning characters look fantastic on our new food waste collection vehicles and have created a fun and engaging way to promote recycling. It has been wonderful to see the excitement from the children as they watched their designs brought to life."
The project forms part of the Council's ongoing commitment to increasing recycling rates, reducing waste and encouraging sustainable behaviours across the borough.