I have spoken to various local councillors and MSPs on the issue. MSP Richard Lyle hopes to speak about the proposal at a future RACCE committee meeting. However, although this is welcome I believe wider awareness and debate is essential. I have also spoken to officials who have confirmed my views that the practice and teaching of reduce, reuse, recycle in schools is inconsistent and generally poor.
Groups and individuals with an interest in the subject have also been approached. Again they have been very supportive, but as this is a national issue it needs a wider platform than is provided by discussion between local activists, it needs truly public consideration. Teachers, parents, NGOs and children themselves need to share their experience and views.
I am aware that there are proposed regulations which may require better provision of recycling facilities in schools, but I suspect they may not go far enough and there will be attempts in some quarters to reduce their potency. Given how we are already suffering from the consequences of inadequate education and practice of the 3Rs then we cannot afford anything less than the highest standards. There is also a desperate need for a national survey to enable best practice to become the standard.