Ocean Friendly School

In the ocean water with fish swimming in a large circle.

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.

How did you research the plastic problem at Ysgol Maes Owen?

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!

How did you help learners understand the impact of plastic?

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.

What was your action after this experiment?

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.

How did you celebrate your success and what’s your next steps?

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