Recycle Week is in the bag for Ernie
23 June 2010
National Recycling Week revved into action this week with the help of Solent University’s own enviro champ – Ernie, the Eco Float.
Golf clubs, wet suits, flippers, giant stuffed toys and drum kits were just some of the weird and wonderful items Ernie rounded up when he was launched last year for student changeover-when students move out of their rented accommodation.
Now, even keener and greener and fresh from scooping a top government award, Ernie kicks off this year’s fortnight of daily collections in the heavily student-populated Polygon part of Southampton.
The innovative project –a collaboration with Solent University and its Students’ Union - is supported by Southampton City Council and Bag it up (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance).
Eco Ernie – who helped Southampton City Council win the Local Government Chronicle Award for Community Involvement earlier this year – has already collected more than 150 bags of textiles in just two weeks and looks set to beat last year’s phenomenal one tonne total for Bag It Up.
Solent University’s Community Liaison Officer and Ernies ‘arch angel’ Melissa Reddington-Cartmell said: “It’s great to be out on the streets with our Ernie again and this year already looks to be even better than last. We’re absolutely delighted that so many people have come on board – and that the University of Southampton has been inspired to launch a similar scheme. It can only be good news for the city.”
Bag It Up’s Danielle Mugridge added: "This project is a fantastic way of involving students in the local community and helping raise funds for the life saving work of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Combined with this, the project addresses the importance of recycling and the diversion of tons of waste from the waste stream and landfill. This year is looking to be even more successful than last years amazing effort - we are very proud to be part of this innovative scheme."
Ernie - with green-minded students, members of the City Council's waste and recycling department, and residents - will be out and about in the Polygon for the next fortnight.
Solent student volunteer Alberto Ortega said: “Eco Ernie is a relaxed and cheerful programme that encourages others to recycle with a smile on their face!”
After the change-over collections, residents, staff, students, council workers, and clergy will be sorting through the recyclables at Devonshire Central Baptist Church, on Thursday, 1 July before it goes to charity.
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