Bessborough Students Learning To Reduce Plastic

Students at Bessborough School are taking part in a challenge, that helps to divert plastic bags from the landfill.

It is the third year they are involved in the Plastic Grab Bag Challenge.

Principal Nick Mattatall tells us how it works, “We try to collect as many plastic bags as possible so they don’t end up in landfills and waterways. Once we collect them, on May 3rd we will deliver them to Walmart and they will be re-used and recycles and made in to other products.”

Mattatall says the kids really want to be more responsible with their waste, “It is scary how much plastic is wasted. You get so complacent with it, because it is such a normal thing for so many people. All of our things come packed in plastic. You grab the bags at the grocery store if you don’t use the reusable bags, and you just see the number of plastic bags lying around our community when the snow starts melting at this time of year.”

Last year, they managed to collect tens of thousands of bags.

“We are setting an example where we are more responsible and we are showing the kids that there are proper ways to handle our waste and re-use things and be responsible,” Mattatall says.

Birchmount School in Anglophone East is also taking part in the challenge this year..