Schoolgirl drives home recycling message

Julie Le Jalle, 11, of Northolt, in the west London borough of Ealing, trounced competition from dozens of other pupils in the council competition to create a colourful design for the truck.

Julie, was a pupil at Wood End Junior School, in Greenford, when she entered the competition.

Now at Northolt High School, she said: “I’m really pleased that my design was chosen for the school recycling truck.

“We recycle a lot at home and it’s important that everyone does what they can to help the environment and make things nice and clean.”

Entries were judged by a panel from the council and its recycling contractor, May Gurney, which is giving the prize of £500 towards equipment for the school.

Cabinet member for environment and street services, Sue Emment, said: “There were so many great ideas, I was impressed with the amount of hard work that everyone had clearly put into this.

“Julie’s design was very bright and eye catching and I’m pleased to announce her as our winner. I’m looking forward to seeing her artwork on the truck and working with the schools to educate young people about how important it is to, reduce, re-use and recycle.”

Ealing Council will begin introducing recycling to borough schools and collecting food waste and cardboard later this month.

It says this will save more than 500 tonnes of waste from going to landfill every year.

Some 15 schools will be part of the first phase of the scheme with more due to join from 2010.

David Gibbs