Surrey schools to get £6,000 for green projects

Cobham Free School won £2,500 to fund solar panels and a vertical garden

Five schools in Surrey have been awarded funding for projects to benefit their environment.

Surrey County Council's Rethink Waste initiative will donate £6,000 to be shared between the schools.

The green scheme is designed to encourages residents to engage in waste-minimising and recycling-enhancing activities.

Over 6,000 households in Surrey are already taking part in Rethink Waste, the council said.

Cobham Free School, which will receive £2,500 to fund the construction of a vertical garden and install solar panels, said it was "delighted" to have been involved with Rethink Waste.

It said: "The activities were particularly interesting and helped our community develop knowledge about so many environmental topics."

Hurst Green Infant School, in Oxted, will get £1,500 to improve its playground to safeguard wildlife.

Barnsbury Primary School, in Woking, will receive £1,000 to develop a rainwater garden, while Esher Church School and St Francis Catholic Primary School, in Caterham, were each awarded £500 to contribute to their green initiatives.

Climate change

Rethink Waste allows residents to earn points by completing weekly waste reduction activities.

The points can be used to donate to local schools.

The scheme aims to cut household waste production across Surrey.

Marisa Heath, county council cabinet member for the environment, said: “Reducing what we throw away is one of the best things we can do to help fight climate change.

"It’s fantastic to see so many Surrey residents coming together through Rethink Waste to learn about waste reduction."

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