Buckinghamshire Council to offer virtual sessions teaching children about Greatmoor Energy from Waste Facility

The virtual sessions aim to teach children about the impact our actions have on the environment, ways to promote recycling and how to encourage good recycling behaviour.

In Buckinghamshire, waste that isn’t recycled or composted is taken to Greatmoor EfW facility. The facility treats up to 345,000 tonnes of residual (non-recyclable) waste, diverting it from landfill and generating 25MW of electricity in the process, producing enough energy to power 40,000 homes.

Since it opened in 2016, the Greatmoor EfW facility has delivered educational events to over 5,800 children, but to protect against the spread of coronavirus, visits to the facility had to be suspended.

However, despite the current pandemic, children are still able to learn remotely through a variety of new materials developed by Jez Elkin, Greatmoor EFW facility’s Education Manager.

Jez takes up the story, “It's more important than ever that we understand the impacts our waste has on the environment and how we can make positive changes. It’s really great that we can continue online so that children can still get the information and tools they need to help reduce their waste and recycle more.”

Jez added,“There are ten different sessions available for primary and secondary schools which we can offer remotely that help promote waste reduction and cover important topics such as food waste, recycling, packaging and biodegradation.

Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Bill Chapple OBE, added:

“We all have a part to play in helping the environment, with good recycling behaviour being a key element. This is one of the reasons I’m so excited about the new online resources from Greatmoor EfW.

“These engaging and interactive presentations are a fantastic opportunity to bring environmentally-friendly information to our youngest residents, positively shaping their understanding and knowledge of recycling while instilling good recycling behaviours at a young age.”

To find out more about the resources available for schools or to book an online session for your school, please visit https://www.greatmoor.co.uk/on-line-schools-sessions/

More information on the facility, including videos about each part of the energy from waste process are available at www.greatmoor.co.uk