At Ysgol Maes Owen, a determined group of learners have taken a stand to protect our oceans and reduce plastic waste. Recognising the significant amount of plastic, (especially plastic bottles) still being used within the school, the school embarked on a mission to tackle the issue head-on.
Through research, investigations, and litter picks, the students gained valuable insights into the extent of the problem and implemented solutions to make a lasting impact. From their hard work, they received the Marine Conservation Society Award.
We monitored plastic usage at school by counting how many plastic bottles were being bought in every day. We discovered that a staggering 149 plastic bottles were being used in just one week, that’s 5,655 in a year. We knew after seeing these results, something had to change!
To help our learners understand some of the hidden plastics in everyday life, we created an experiment focusing on wet wipes. We placed a wet wipe and water in one container, and tissue with water in another. After mixing both containers for 50 seconds, the tissue dissolved completely, while the wet wipe remained intact. This experiment demonstrated how wet wipes, due to their plastic content, can cause blockages, end up in our oceans, and, because they don’t break down, pose a significant threat to sea life.
Following the experiment, we took a trip to explore our local rivers and sea. During a litter pick at the beach, we saw firsthand the impact of wet wipes and plastic waste. After this, we launched a two week campaign, during which a tally chart was placed in each classroom to track the number of plastic bottles brought in. Throughout this time, the school’s Eco Warriors visited every classroom, educating learners about the harmful effects of plastic and encouraging them to switch to reusable alternatives. They also created informative posters, which were displayed during the school assembly to spread awareness and inspire action across the school community. As a result of the campaign, we saw a significant drop in plastic bottle usage, from 149 down to 96 bottles brought into school.
We were thrilled to receive the Marine Conservation Society Award, recognising our efforts to tackle plastic and wet wipe litter. To celebrate, we held a special assembly and shared our success on social media, hoping to inspire other schools to take similar action and make a positive impact on the environment. Our next step is to keep replacing plastic with more sustainable options and to rid our school of plastic waste.
“I am excited to be an Ocean Friendly Ambassador as I think it is so important to look after our seas and I learnt lots about it this year.” Maisie, Year 4
Maisie, Year 4
We worked with the Marine Conservation Society to develop on a range of water-themed resources called Be the Wave. These resources help teachers with everything they need to run impactful workshops, from lesson plans and background information to event coordination tips and ideas for raising awareness about litter and water conservation.
We’re proud to launch a new innovation challenge for schools inspired by The Earthshot Prize.
As part of Climate Challenge Cymru, primary and secondary schools across Wales are invited to submit short videos capturing creative ideas to tackle one of five global challenges, or ‘Earthshots’: Build a Waste-Free World, Clean Our Air, Fix Our Climate, Protect and Restore Nature and Revive Our Oceans.
