The Environment Agency has joined forces with national
school network Partners in Excellence to launch a plastic
pollution-focused award for young people.
Key Stage 3 and 4 students from Partners in Excellence (PiXL)
member schools can sign up for the ‘Green Edge Award’ programme
from September and undertake one of three award levels –
Apprentice, Pioneer and Graduate.
The award is centred around character development with each award
level focussing on 5 attributes – leadership, organisation,
resilience, initiative and communication. Students will be
encouraged to demonstrate these skills through a series of
activities, including plastic waste surveys, organising litter
picks, and setting up repair cafes.
The award content has been produced by the Environment Agency’s
plastics and sustainability team on behalf of the Interreg
Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) project, which is working with
the education, business, community, sports and agriculture
sectors.
The aim of the PPP project is to take action to reduce the impact
of plastics and encourage positive behaviour changes to help
places, people and wildlife.
Kelly Haynes, Environment Agency STEM engagement officer, said:
We are thrilled to be working with PiXL to offer this award,
which empowers young people to help tackle plastic pollution
and the wider climate emergency.
The Green Edge award is a very hands-on programme, allowing
students to develop their knowledge and skills through
practical activities, collectively making their schools, homes
and communities more sustainable. Young people are the future
custodians of our planet so to see such passion and enthusiasm
for these activities will be truly inspirational.
The award sits alongside the current PiXL Edge programme, which
supports students to independently develop life skills via
experiences and provides them with an evidenced record of their
achievements.
Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, said:
Young people often report feeling powerless in the face of the
climate crisis we face, which will no doubt play a big part in
their futures. The introduction of the Green Edge, in
partnership with the Environment Agency, means that not only
will they learn about the issues at hand, but can start working
on practical ways to make a difference and empower themselves
and others to bring about change.
To find out more about the Edge award contact edge@pixl.org.uk or plasticsandsustainability@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Notes for editors
PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a large membership network
comprising of thousands of schools, colleges and alternative
education providers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
They collaborate, share best practice and equip leaders so they
can support their teams and, ultimately, provide everyone in
schools with a better future and a brighter hope.
Environment Agency role: preventing waste plastic entering the
environment by cracking down on waste crime and poor waste
management is a key activity for the Environment Agency as a
regulator. As an influencer, it also has an ambition to promote
better environmental practices that result in a reduction of
plastic waste, helping to achieve the goals and commitments
outlined in its 5 year plan to create better places for people,
wildlife and the environment, and the government’s 25 Year
Environment Plan.
Preventing Plastic Pollution: working in partnership with 18
organisations from across France and England, Preventing Plastic Pollution
(PPP) seeks to understand and reduce the impacts of plastic
pollution in the river and marine environments. By looking at the
catchment from source to sea, the project will identify and
target hotspots for plastic, embed behaviour change in local
communities and businesses, and implement effective solutions and
alternatives.
PPP is a €14million funded EU INTERREG VA France (Channel)
England Programme project co-financed by the European Regional
Development Fund which works mainly across 7 pilot sites: Brest
Harbour, Bay of Douarnenez, Bay of Veys, Poole Harbour, and the
Medway, Tamar, and Great Ouse estuaries.
Partners are the Environment Agency, Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs, Queen Mary University of London, LABOCEA
Conseil, Expertise et Analyses, Syndicat mixte établissement
public de gestion et d’aménagement de la baie de Douarnenez,
Office Français De La Biodiversité, Parc naturel marin d’Iroise,
Brest Métropole, Centre national de la recherche scientifique,
Counseil départemental de la Manche, Institut français de
recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, The Rivers Trust,
Syndicat de bassin de l’Elorn, ACTIMAR, Brest’aim, Westcountry
Rivers Trust, South East Rivers Trust, Plymouth City Council.
