Milton Keynes pupils get behind the wheel for hands-on recycling experience

Hundreds of children from schools, nurseries and local charities across Milton Keynes have been getting a behind-the-scenes look at how waste and recycling collections work, from Milton Keynes City Council’s environmental services provider SUEZ as part of an ongoing community engagement programme that saw 10 schools and nurseries take part.

In addition to visits to schools and nurseries, SUEZ also delivered its popular Dennis to the Rescue educational sessions, arranging visits to 15 locations across Milton Keynes during the academic year.

Over recent months, young people from Acorn Day Nursery, Caroline Haslett Primary School, Drayton Park Primary School, Loughton Manor Primary School and St Mary's Wavendon Primary School have taken part in interactive sessions designed to bring recycling education to life.

The visits gave children the opportunity to learn what can and cannot be recycled, why recycling is important, and how everyday waste is managed once it leaves their homes. Pupils also had the chance to explore a collection vehicle, meet crew members and ask questions about a service many see on their streets every week.

The sessions also highlighted the importance of disposing of batteries safely and the risks of placing them in household bins.

Acorn Day Nursery in Shenley Church End welcomed the team back for a second consecutive year, with staff sharing how inspired children were by their previous visit. Following this year's session, nursery staff said some children spent the afternoon building their own refuse collection vehicles from wooden blocks. 

Acorn Day Nursery, said: “The children at the nursery look forward to seeing the bin lorry every week as it drives past collecting recycled materials, and being given the opportunity to get up close and learn more about the vehicle, recycling and waste collection was fantastic. It links perfectly with our nursery’s ethos and contributes towards our Green Flag award. It’s a great link with the local community that we would love to continue every year, helping children build an understanding of the world around them.”

Caroline Haslett Primary School also hosted a return visit, helping support learning for foundation-age pupils who had been studying different types of vehicles during the school term.

The visits form part of a wider commitment to promoting environmental awareness among young people and strengthening links with local communities.

Peter Marshall, Contract Manager at SUEZ, said: “These visits help bring classroom learning to life. By giving children the opportunity to see a collection vehicle up close and meet the crews who work in their communities, we can make conversations about recycling more engaging and memorable. It’s particularly encouraging when schools invite us back, as it shows the lasting value these sessions can have for pupils and teachers alike.”

Cllr Kerrie Bradburn Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, said:  "It’s great to see children learning about recycling and waste collection in such an interactive way. By getting a closer look at the service and meeting the crews, young people can develop positive habits that help create a cleaner, greener Milton Keynes for everyone."

With a new school year about to begin, the visits form part of ongoing efforts to support environmental education and encourage positive recycling habits from an early age, helping children understand the role they can play in creating a more sustainable future.