A CARETAKER has added his voice to the recycling row in Kirklees schools.
Peter Pankhurst says his school, St John's C of E Junior and Infant School in Golcar, could recycle two thirds of its waste if facilities were provided.
Mr Pankhurst, who is supported by the school's head teacher Kathryn Benford, said the recycling wagon already passed by the school, so there was no reason why an extra charge should be imposed.
"We would love to have the opportunity to recycle the waste from our school," he said.
"These children are the generation of tomorrow, the generation who will have to work hard to put right what we have done to the environment," he said.
On Monday the Examiner featured children from Almondbury C of E Infant and Nursery School and their recycling efforts being snubbed by the council.
The school was told it must pay £30 for the collection of recyclable materials as well as £6,000-plus rates and a £700 refuse charge.
Mr Pankhurst said many other Kirklees schools could help recycle waste if this charge was abandoned.
He said the council would benefit from the schools collections o because it would improve its recycling rates.
"What's the point of revamping St George's Square? If we don't recycle, we won't be able to sit in the Square, because of the heat from the sun, and global warming," he added.
Head teacher Kathryn Benford said Mr Pankhurst did a great job and was a keen recycler.
She said the school created a mass of paper, catalogues and pamphlets which could all be recycled if it had the facilities.
Clr Martyn Bolt, Cabinet member with responsibility for the environment said the authority was looking into how schools could be encouraged to recycle through community recycling facilities or linking directly with a business recycling partner.
Clr Bolt said schools were autonomous in so much as they were ruled by a governing body. It was a fine balance between helping them recycle and not taking away their autonomy by forcing them to do so.
