Every nursery in Darlington has received a free educational pack to help children learn about food waste recycling. The packs, which launched in early June, include a kitchen caddy named Colin, an outdoor food waste bin, and information for parents and educators about the council's new food waste scheme.
The educational materials feature a book and special activities designed to help children understand the food waste recycling system. The activities encourage children to think about where food comes from, how to safely prepare food, and how to dispose of leftover food or peelings through the recycling scheme.
Using Colin in play areas
Many nurseries have incorporated the kitchen caddy and outdoor bin into their role play areas, allowing children to routinely use the equipment as part of everyday play. Feedback from both adults and children has been positive.
Available for childminders
Colin the caddy packs are now also available for childminders to borrow for free from Darlington Library on Crown Street.
Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, said: "Nurseries have welcomed Colin the caddy and have used the activities to reinforce sustainability and healthy lifestyle messages in everyday play. It is great that childminders can now borrow a Colin the caddy activity pack from the library to help encourage the children in their care to think about the environment and healthy eating."
