Respect Respect AssemblyAssembly

Showing respect to our school environment.

Article 24 – Every child has the right to a clean environment.

What is litter?

Litter can be described as ‘rubbish that is in the wrong place’ and can be anything from a

cigarette butt to a burnt out car. It can be food, chewing gum, syringes, crisp packets, plastic

bags and banana skins – in fact, any item left by a person that should not be there.

why do people litter?• They can’t be bothered or are too lazy to

find a bin • They have no sense of pride in their

community • There is a lack of education / poor

parenting of young people • If an area is already dirty, why bother to

look for a bin? • People don’t appreciate the consequences

of littering • We live in throwaway society with a

‘snack culture’ and too much packaging • It’s not cool to use a bin

• There aren’t enough bins • The bins are in the wrong place • The bins aren’t emptied often enough • The bins aren’t big enough • The bins are dirty • One person can’t make a difference • It’s rebellious and anti-authoritarian to

litter (is it?) • Everybody does it! • There are much worse things in the world

to worry about than litter . • Litter keeps someone in a job • It’s OK to litter if no one can see you!

Up to two years to rot

awayUp to 10 years

to rot away Between 10 and 20 years

and will slowly break up into small pieces, but even these never really

go away

Will NEVER EVER rot away

Will NEVER EVER rot

away

How long does it stick around?

Litter harms wildlife

Young fox with its headtrapped inside a rustydrinks can. RSPCA

Baby birds eat litter because they don’t know what is safe. This bird died from eating a piece of chewing gum.

Litter harms birds

Guillemot strangled by the plastic ringsfrom a drinks multi-pack. RSPCA

Hedgehogs have a particular problem in that while they can

crawl into cans, their spines prevent them reversing out again

Foxes use our playground at night. Litter can harm them too.

This fox has injured himself by becoming stuck in a can.

Seagulls and pigeons are

attracted by food litter

Litter makes our school look untidy. It is our responsibility to keep our playground tidy. It shows respect for ourselves, our friends and our school.

What can we do?

• REDUCE, REUSE, Recycle

• Put your rubbish in the bin or take it home

• Go plastic bag free

Remember to put your litter in the bin at playtimes and lunchtimes.

Using the litter pickers helps us to create a clean environment for us to play. It keeps us (and the animals) safe and happy

It’s Our Playground!

Article 24 – Everyone has the right to a clean environment.