Clean for The Queen is a campaign to clear up Britain in time for Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday, which will be officially celebrated in June 2016.
When the Queen came to the throne, litter was not the problem that it is today. Food packaging, plastic bottles and takeaway meals have all contributed to a growing menace that affects our wildlife, streets, countryside and sense of pride. What better way could we show our pride and appreciation for the natural world than to clean up our country?
Our initial campaign had to be cancelled when a heavy snow shower reduced volunteer numbers and made the task almost impossible, even for CRGS students.
One week later, in sunny weather, students from Years 8, 9 and 10 (together with Mr Robbins, Site Supervisor and Mr Smith, Biology Teacher) set out to clean up the hedgerows adjoining Chatburn Road and the school rugby pitches.
In just 30 minutes they had part filled 4 refuse sacks. The usual culprits were present in large numbers. Crisp packets, plastic bottles, fast food cartons and other packaging collects in the hedgerows and stays there for many years until it eventually decays. Foil crisp bags you may like to know take 75 years to fully decompose. The aluminium drink cans (13 collected) take an amazing 400 years to decompose.
Some items found that are worthy of special mention include a golf ball, a Vauxhall Vectra wheel trim, a wok, a large can of orange spray paint, a padlock and one football boot.
It was quite shocking just how much litter was collected by a small group in such a short time and illustrates the importance of putting your litter in the appropriate recycling bin. It is hoped the exercise can be repeated again in the summer term. All volunteers are very welcome.
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