Reynolds Academy team up with local council to tackle litter

Pupils at Reynolds Academy have been working hard to make a difference in their local community after taking part in a special Litter and Recycling Assembly led by Eve from North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC).

The assembly encouraged everyone to think carefully about how our actions affect the environment and to take pride in keeping our local area clean and tidy. Children learned about how litter can find its way into waterways and eventually into the sea, harming animals like seals, dolphins and seabirds. They discussed the importance of recycling, reducing waste, and reusing items wherever possible to help protect the planet.

Eve also shared how the council helps keep North East Lincolnshire clean, from recycling collections to the work of community litter-picking champions and local clean-up teams. Pupils learned which items belong in each bin, what “contamination” means, and how waste that can’t be recycled is used to generate energy at the local Energy from Waste plant in Stallingborough rather than going to landfill.

Following the assembly, members of the Green Influencers Group, a team made up of pupils from across year groups – joined forces for a community litter pick around the local area. They were supported by Rob, who runs the school’s Gardening Club, Fumiko, a member of the local Neighbourhood Watch, and Sadie Cordell from North East Lincolnshire Council. Together, they collected bags of litter and helped make the school’s surroundings cleaner and safer for everyone.

To help the Green Influencers continue their great work, North East Lincolnshire Council kindly donated two litter grabbers and a bin bag ring, which will be used during break times, after-school clubs, and even at weekends when pupils are out with their families or walking their dogs.

The group was also joined by a very special guest, Jim “the Canoe Man” Elliott, a well-known local volunteer who regularly clears litter from the River Freshney using his canoe. Despite being on crutches, Jim came along to talk to pupils about his work and inspire them to take pride in their local environment.

Jim, who grew up in Grimsby, discovered his love of nature as a child exploring local woods and waterways. After being made redundant during the pandemic, he began volunteering to clean up the River Freshney from his canoe, a project that has since grown into a personal mission to help wildlife and improve the community’s blue and green spaces. Jim believes in the power of small actions and describes himself as a “doer” who wants to make a visible difference, one paddle at a time.

The visit left pupils feeling inspired to do their part, and many have already pledged to continue litter picking in their own time and to encourage others to recycle more.

This event has truly highlighted how teamwork, care for the environment, and community spirit can make a positive difference. Well done to our Green Influencers Group and everyone involved for helping to make Reynolds Academy and the local area a greener, cleaner place to live and learn.

Principal Rebecca Scott said: “It’s fantastic to see our pupils working alongside North East Lincolnshire Council and local volunteers like Jim the Canoe Man to make a real difference in the community. Their efforts show just how powerful it can be when schools and local people come together to look after the environment we all enjoy.”