Scouts launch badge to reward recycling

The badge is set to be awarded to Scouts who take part in community clean-up schemes and show initiative in recycling material collected, including getting their peers and parents to participate. Serco has developed a resource pack to help assist Scouts groups arrange clean up campaigns in their local area and provide safety advice, including high-visibility vests, rigger gloves and recyclable rubbish bags.

Importantly, the environmental badge involves understanding what happens to recycling on its journey from the home, through collection to the recycling plant. Excercises will also encourage young people to think about what items can be recycled from their rubbish bins.

Serco launched the badge yesterday (March 12) at its regional recycling centre in Milton Keynes, the day after it commenced its £80 million waste and recycling contract with Milton Keynes council (see letsrecycle.com).

The seven-year contract sees the Hampshire firm take over from Cory Environmental in a deal which also includes the provision of street cleansing services.

Mike Brown, chief executive of Serco, said “It is vital that young people develop an understanding about the importance of recycling, and the impact that litter can have on the communities in which they live.”

“We are delighted to be working alongside the Scout Association in this project, and look forward to rolling the Environment badge programme out to other part of the UK over the coming months,” he added.