Sale school pupils running eco refill shop achieve top environmental award

A primary school in Sale has been awarded Keep Britain Tidy’s highest award in its Eco-Schools scheme after pupils staged a three-pronged campaign against single-use plastics.

Teaching assistant Karen Carr with pupils from St Mary's C of E Primary School, Sale © Trafford Council

Children at St Mary’s C of E Primary School and Nursery run a monthly eco-refill shop, as well as collecting soft plastics for recycling and designing and displaying their own anti-litter posters as part of a climate action plan.

The shop is going from strength to strength, supplying families and the community with refills of luscious-smelling bubble bath, hand soap and washing-up liquid. So far, pupils have saved 203 single-use containers and the school’s Green Flag status is the highest on offer at ‘distinction’.

Under the guidance of teaching assistant Karen Carr, the school’s eco council sets out its stall – complete with a smelling station and recycled bottles for shoppers who forget their refill containers – at home time.

Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council's Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration dropped by to see how the young entrepreneurs draw customers in with advice and recommendations, fill the bottles and weigh them, take the money and handle the cash as well as choosing top-up stock to order from their supplier, Pupils Profit.

A £200 grant got the shop started and now all profit is ploughed into buying more goods to sell.

Pictured with the children are Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council's Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration and teaching assistant Karen Carr.

Cllr Patel said: “This is a great example of a Trafford school going over and above expectations to make a real difference. We’re so proud of the pupils and staff of St Mary’s, they are setting such a good example to us all.”

Mrs Carr said: “It is a great opportunity for the children to learn lots of skills, as well as doing our bit in helping to look after our planet. We’re in our third year of taking part in the Eco Schools programme.

“In addition to running our shop, collecting plastic and batteries to take to recycle at our local Coop, and making posters, we switch off lights, pick litter, plant herbs and wildflowers and have even introduced our own homemade soup to the lunch menu.”

Mrs Carr, who also runs Forest School, continued: “This year we have signed up to a 'count your carbon' programme too, where we can work out how to reduce our carbon footprint as a school.”