Since September 2007, students and staff at school have been participating in various recycling schemes. This is a result of the school joining the Eco-Schools Scheme, and taking part in recycling initiatives that will hopefully enable us all to become more environmentally aware.

One of the schemes we will be participating in this year is the ‘Woodland Trust Christmas Card’ recycling scheme, a nationwide scheme that aims to recycle Christmas cards and with the money raised, plant many trees across the UK.

In the New Year, students and staff will be able to do their bit and recycle their Christmas cards. Below are some facts about the Woodland Trust and the good work they do to manage and maintain woodland areas across the country.

• The Woodland Trust is a national charity that cares for trees, forest areas and native woodlands in the UK.

• The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe – just 12% of UK land is covered by woods compared to the European average of . 44%
• It is estimated that 1 billion Christmas cards, 17 cards for each person end up in bins across the UK each Christmas. Generally one - fifth of the contents of a household bin in the UK are made up of paper

Last year the Woodland Trust collected over 73.6 million Christmas cards, raised over £100,000 for charity and planted 17,000 trees. This year, with our help, they hope to collect over 100 million Christmas cards and raise enough money to plant over 24,000 trees.

Collection boxes will be available from Tuesday 5th January 2010. Please do your bit and recycle as many Christmas cards as you can.

Thank you

Eco Action Group