ENVIRONMENT-CONSCIOUS pupils at the John Bentley School in Calne are doing their bit for the planet by reducing the amount of waste they produce.

Pupils who are part of the World in Action Group, set up by head of Citizenship, Patricia Kelly have been working with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on the Recycle for Wiltshire project, in partnership with Wiltshire Council.

Working with Gemma Annan, education officer at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the kids were set the challenge of reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill for at least a week, but some kept it going for a whole month.

Mrs Kelly, said: "I started the club as head of citizenship to have young people understand that they have the power to make change.

"When Wiltshire Wildlife Trust approached us to come and work with us I was delighted and the students have very enthusiastically worked with them to promote the reduction in the use of plastic as it effects wildlife and the environment.

"I have been very impressed with their response to the Jam Jar Challenge, and students are working with the School Parliament on recycling at school.”

Two of the group members completed the Waste Free Feb challenge, reducing waste that cannot be reused, recycled or composted to fit into a jam jar.

Miss Annan, said: "Kate produced 21g of waste over the month and Emma produced 58g of waste. Teenage girls of their age, on average, waste about 28kg of waste a month. They have contributed to a collective two tonnes of waste being saved from landfill and incineration.

"We also got the students to create posters and we are going to stick them up around the county.

"The group is really keen on doing a campaign to encourage children to reduce single-use plastics. The school is also looking at alternatives to plastics now off the back of this project."