School children had an opportunity to learn about what they can and cannot recycle during a special lesson last week.

The students from New City Primary School, New City Road, Plaistow, were shown how rubbish and recycling is sorted when it arrives at the East London Waste Authority’s Materials Recovery Facility in Jenkins Lane.

The lesson, which took part on Thursday, was part of Newham Council’s Recycle for Your Community project, was organised as part of Recycling Week which runs between 22 June and 29 June and tied in with the school’s focus on local jobs in the community.

Councillor Ian Corbett, mayoral advisor for environment and leisure, said: “Recycling helps to protect the environment, and saves money by reducing the costs of getting rid of waste. There are so many items that can be recycled around the home but many of us simply throw our rubbish in the bin.

“You can recycle washing up bottles, shampoo bottles, newspapers and junk mail. People just need to get into the habit of putting the right items in the correct bins and with them being collected from your doorstep there is no excuse not to get involved.

“There was a real buzz at the school today and the children showed tremendous enthusiasm to get into the recycling habit. I hope this encourages their parents, relatives and friends to recycle more.”

Assistant Headteacher of New City Primary School, Stuart Seamark, said: “The children at New City have thoroughly enjoyed the chance to learn about different places as part of 15 Billion’s work week, in particular recycling and how staff at Jenkins Lane facilitates this.

“The activity led by Jennifer from Keep Britain Tidy helped the children make the links between recycling and the local community.”