Debbie Boyd, a Sixth Form student at John Kyrle High School, recently wrote to Sir David Attenborough regarding the environmental impact of plastic waste and was delighted to receive a reply from the eminent wildlife expert.

Debbie told the Ross Gazette: “Like many people across the country, I was horrified by the revelations about the effects of plastic on our environment shown on David Attenborough’s recent programme, ‘Blue Planet II’.

At home, we have always regularly recycled and are now working to restrict our plastic usage. This did, however, trigger many students to notice that the school wasn’t recycling any paper or plastic. So, because of this, I wrote a letter to Sir David Attenborough explaining the problem and asking for any advice he could give, and was amazed when he replied.”

The school also responded to the plastic crisis in an incredible way and purchased a plastic bottle recycling machine that now stands in the canteen. Students can place their empty plastic bottles in the machine and have a chance of winning a reward: a token for a free item in the canteen.

Debbie added: ”Over the past few weeks, this has worked exceptionally well, with students even searching around school to find bottles to recycle. The school also now has the facility to recycle card and paper. As far as I‘m concerned, this is a critical move John Kyrle has made towards a greener future for our Earth. David Attenborough would be proud.”