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P E O P L E S 18 P E O P L E S Over the past year, primary schools from Lincolnshire have been taking part in a challenge to reduce the amount of waste from their lunch box at Lincolnshire County Council’s Energy from Waste facility. “Boston West Academy won out against 18 other local schools and the 7 – 11 year olds who took part should all be very proud” During the presentation ceremony of the certificates that recognize the work done by the students to reduce the waste from their lunch boxes, the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Was- te Partnership, Councillor Eddy Poll said, “It’s so important that our young people get a well-rounded education. We need to teach them about the world we live in, how it works and how we can help protect it for future ge- nerations.” He added, “School visits to the EfW facility are brilliant. They allowed us to start conversations with the students about the importance of recycling and how we can all play a role in taking care of the environment and the zero waste lunch box challen- ge is a key part of that.” Juergen Schaper, Lincolnshire Ener- gy from Waste General Manager said, “This challenge is a great way for youngsters to learn about waste and recycling. “Making simple swaps, such as cutting up cheese, fruit and vegetables into sticks rather than bu- ying individually packaged ones, pu- tting sandwiches in a tub instead of using cling film, zip-lock bags or foil and bringing drinks in reusable bo- ttles, can make a huge difference in the amount of waste which is put in the bin”. Sally Hood, visitor/administration manager for FCC Environment, who runs the Energy from Waste Visitor Centre, comments: “It was an ab- solute delight to have the children and young people from Boston West Academy visit us at the facility. I hope that it provokes thoughts of waste management and encourages them to change their lunch box ha- bits – which evidently it has!” Youngsters from Boston West Academy are the best in the county at reducing food waste Emma Schofield, Assistant Head, Boston West Academy said, “Our visits to the EFW site are always as- pirational, informative and fun for our children.” In 2011, Lincolnshire County Council made a commitment to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, and since the plant became fully operational, it has achieved this goal by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill by 90%. 90% reduction United Kingdom