London pupils rebuild broken toys to cut waste

Schoolchildren across London are being taught how to take apart and rebuild broken toys and household items in a project designed to cut waste and get them thinking about climate change.

The Broken Umbrella Challenge is being run by the community interest company Science Owl during London Climate Action Week.

Pupil Alice, from Francis Holland School near Regent's Park, said: "We got given tins, pieces of paper and flowers, and we built it into a nice pretty bag with lots of ribbons. It really changed from its original form."

Founder Dr Renee Tonkin set up the project after learning that about 28 million toys are thrown away in the UK each year, a figure from the North London Waste Authority.

Classmate Thea said the workshops carried a wider message. "It's teaching young people that we need to recycle more.

"Now we don't use toys as much, and if we are able to recycle them, we might be able to get off screens and start using physical items."

Assistant head Jo Dawes said it was important for pupils to engage with the environment "in a creative and fun way".

She added: "It's really important for them to learn how any small change can impact the environment, so that one day they can make those informed decisions themselves."

"This is all about positive, hands-on, hopeful climate action," Tonkin added.

"We are challenging the young people to become climate problem solvers.

"It's all about taking apart broken toys and then using the pieces to invent something new, so it's all about creativity and having fun."

She said children often heard about environmental problems but did not always get the chance to be part of the solution.

The challenge has now reached more than 1,500 children across 11 London boroughs, with workshops run mainly through public libraries as well as in schools.

Each session is led by a scientist or engineer and supported by volunteer STEM ambassadors, which Science Owl says helps children meet people working in green science and engineering careers.

Many of the broken toys are donated by the charity retailer FARA. Items that cannot be sold in its shops are reused in the workshops.

Further sessions are due to take place at the British Library and at Canada Water Library.

The workshop was held while a red extreme heat warning was in place for three days in London from 24 June.

Francis Holland School did not close early but instead classroom temperatures were monitored and a risk assessment was put in place.

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