THE environmental work of pupils at a school in Clydebank has been recognised in the Scottish Parliament.

Clydebank’s MSP Gil Paterson told cabinet secretary for the environment, Roseanna Cunningham, that pupils at St Eunan’s Primary are on a mission to reduce plastic use, not just in their own school, but in all schools in West Dunbartonshire.

In the debating chamber at Holyrood, Mr Paterson asked the cabinet secretary how pupils from the school could become involved in the Scottish Government’s proposed deposit return scheme for disposable drinks containers.

Ms Cunningham thanked the pupils for their efforts and recognised the crucial role schools can play to make the scheme a success.

Primary 5B received a visit from the MSP recently so he could hear first-hand about the students’ drive to reduce plastic waste.

A survey conducted by the pupils revealed that 2,140 plastic bottles are thrown away in the school each week, making a staggering annual total of 81,320 plastic items discarded at St Eunan’s Primary School alone, over the 38 weeks pupils attend school.

Read more: Former St Eunan's site to be transformed into community green space

Mr Paterson told the Post: “I cannot praise the children of P5B enough for their energy and innovation in this matter.

“These pupils were not content to just worry about plastic waste and its effect on our planet, they wanted to get out there and do something about it.

“They presented their case to me in a mature and articulate fashion and they had done the groundwork.

“I was so impressed that I wrote to the environment secretary to make her aware of the inspiring work undertaken by these pupils and my question to Ms Cunningham in the parliament followed on from that letter.

“These pupils are working to make their future better and their parents, teachers and community should be very proud of them.”

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Scotland is the first country in the UK to announce it will bring in a deposit return scheme for drinks packaging which aims to collect 90 per cent of cans and bottles to be recycled.

It was confirmed in March that the initiative will be introduced subject to consultation later this year, to crack down on plastic pollution.