Londoners rose to the challenge to take ownership of their local environment at numerous events held throughout London during Capital Clean-Up Education Awareness Week, which ran from the 16th to 20th of March this year.
As part of the larger Capital Clean-Up Campaign, Education Awareness Week sought to bring the issue of a cleaner capital directly into people's homes, and to motivate every Londoner to get involved.
At St James Church of England Primary School on Old Jamaica Road, a Year 3 class took part in a litter audit as part of Southwark's Junior Street Leader scheme. Each pupil was given a map of the area surrounding the school, and asked to record incidents of litter and to make recommendations on how to resolve the issue.
The litter audit forms part of a larger idea to get Southwark schools involved in the cleaner, safer, greener agenda. Each school is given a map and a reference number for the geographic area surrounding the school. If the children notice rubbish or anything else that makes them feel unsafe on the streets, they simply log onto Southwark's website, input the reference code and the council takes action.
Dave Taylor, facilitator for the litter audit event explained the idea behind the programme. "The Junior Street Leader scheme, which cuts right across the cleaner, safer, greener agenda, was created to empower children from an early age. By engaging children in a meaningful capacity as stewards of the local environmental, they are much more likely to continue environmentally-responsible behaviour well into adulthood."
The effectiveness of the program in creating a more aware generation of Londoners is evident. Year 3 pupil Jack, 7, explained the importance of taking care of the local environment in no uncertain terms, "If there's rubbish around, you need to clean it up."
In addition to targeting a younger demographic, Education Awareness Week also sought to raise awareness amongst those members of the community who are normally harder to reach.
Ealing Council has come up with an innovative way to address the ongoing issue of fly-tipping in the borough. Through its breakfast awareness events held at various builders stores throughout the borough, tradesmen had the opportunity to find out more about how to legally transport waste, and the penalties they face if they are not licensed.
Jim Flanagan, Envirocrime Officer explained that the reactions of the tradesmen has on the whole been quite positive.
"Many tradespeople are simply unaware of the current regulations regarding waste transport. The Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 makes it explicit: if you transport waste as part of your business, whether you are a large multi-national waste contractor or a self-employed individual, you must comply with these regulations or face a fine up to £5000. Through events such as these, tradesmen have an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the regulations and hopefully alter their behaviour before it becomes a problem for the council," he said.
While the issue of fly-tipping may be serious business, the free breakfast rolls and cups of tea offered to participants proved that awareness raising can be an enjoyable process.