School one of the first to recycle writing equipment

Miltoncross Academy in Milton Road, Portsmouth, has signed up to become one of the first places in the UK to recycle used writing instruments.

The school has become a BIC Community Champion recycling point, meaning that anybody in the local community can drop off their used pens as well, from 9am-4pm on weekdays.

Having signed up to the scheme, Miltoncross Academy will now send all writing equipment collected  at the school to TerraCycle '“ a firm which recycles complex materials to make everyday products such as watering cans, garden benches and waste bins.

Vice principal at Miltoncross Academy, Debra Mason, said: '˜We have just signed up for the BIC Writing Instruments Recycling Programme, and the collection point is now active.

'˜Whilst we are spreading the word to our pupils, their families and friends as a BIC Community Champion public drop-off location we are looking to engage with the local community which can really help us to save a much greater number of pens from going to landfill.

'˜The Portsmouth community can really help boost our recycling efforts and the amount of funds we raise for charity by dropping off any used pens to our public access recycling boxes at the school which can be accessed between 9am and 4pm on weekdays.

'˜We also ask that you help us by spreading the word to any locations using pens on a large scale like schools, colleges or local businesses.'

But it's not just pens that can be recycled, with highlighters, pencils and more able to be collected.

The News has been running a campaign in conjunction with The Final Straw Solent, with the goal of stamping out single-use plastic waste in the Solent region.

Co-founder Bianca Carr said: '˜Everything can be recycled from these '“ not just BIC products.

'˜It's exciting to see something like this grow, because it's something people haven't really thought about until now.

'˜We just hope more places will get on board with it.'