Youngsters in Johnstone are upping their green credentials as they pursue a green eco flag for their nursery.
Children at Gleniffer Nursery have been taking part in litter picks, reusing and recycling and reducing their carbon emissions in a bid to create a brighter future for themselves and the planet.
As part of their commitment to a greener future, children and staff joined in Keep Scotland Beautiful’s call to clean up communities.
The children aged two to five donned their aprons and litter pickers as they cleared bags full of rubbish from the streets and green spaces around their Floors Street base.
Louise Reilly, depute manager of the nursery, said the nationwide event was a good fit for what is a year-round commitment to lead a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle.
She told the Paisley Daily Express: “We did this most recent litter pick as part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful programme but we do a litter pick once a month as part of our work towards getting an eco flag.
"The litter picks get the children out in their community learning where litter should go and how to keep our environment clean and tidy for everyone.
“The children are very engaged and know that it forms part of a wider effort to support the environment.”
The Scottish Eco-Schools Green Flag awards scheme recognises schools and early years centres which go above and beyond to protect the planet.
The awards are designed to further highlight venues each year, who have delivered and shared especially innovative, inspirational, and impactful eco-schools work.
At nursery level, the work is led by staff who take huge and complicated issues and translate them into understandable and fun learning.
“The children and staff are very passionate about the environment.” Louise added. "We all want a cleaner place to live and it’s great for the children to learn about the impact of litter on the environment.
“We are also learning about recycling, turning the lights off so not as to waste energy, reusing things such as bottle tops and junk for arts and crafts area.
“We also have Eco Ted who goes home with everyone to make sure they are doing these things at home too. All of these things are the start of our journey to getting that eco flag.”
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