Pupils secure more bins for Island Gardens

Pupils from George Green’s School have been helping to keep the borough clean by helping the Council install new litter bins. Working with Citizens UK, students were able to identify sites near to the school where bins were needed and present their findings to the council’s Clean and Green and Highways teams. Following the presentation, the council agreed eight bins including ashtrays should be installed.

The project was predominantly led by three sixth form students at the school – Giulia, Zeynep and Zahra – who wanted to engage with the community and improve the local environment. The group was particularly concerned about litter in areas close to the school and they agreed that it is partly their responsibility to do something about it.

The students undertook a community walk and interviewed 180 students about where bins should be located. They collated their research into a map marking the locations where they felt new bins would be most useful. The students then presented their findings to the council’s Clean and Green and Highways teams and their pitch was successful.

Sultana Yasmin, a postgraduate student from Queen Mary University has been on a placement with Citizens UK within Tower Hamlets. Since January, she has been working with students and staff at George Green’s School to support and train them in community engagement and action.

Simon Baxter, Interim Service Head for Public Realm, said: “I think this is an exciting opportunity to both listen to and work with young people who take pride in where they live and learn. The students at George Green School should be incredibly proud of their approach in improving the local area and I encourage other schools to take their own initiative.”

It is hoped the project has helped to build bridges between the school and community.

The students will now present their work at a school assembly, where a representative from the council will also talk about using the Find It, Fix It, Love It app so residents and students can keep their environment clean.

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