Volunteers from across the country recently took part in a nationwide environmental initiative led by Lodestone House and SUEZ, helping to remove bags of litter from their local community to mark World Environment Day.
The activity formed part of a UK-wide litter pick which saw 139 volunteers from ten schools come together to protect their local environments, collectively delivering 278 hours of volunteering and removing 115 kilos of waste from communities across the country – equivalent to 255 schoolbooks.
Delivered in partnership with SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, who provided equipment and logistical support, the initiative was designed to drive meaningful environmental impact while encouraging pupils to rethink their relationship with waste. By taking direct action in their local communities, participants are helping to prevent litter from entering wider ecosystems – protecting wildlife, reducing pollution and tackling an issue that sees millions of tonnes of waste reach the world’s oceans each year, much of it originating on land.
The activity reflects Lodestone House’s wider commitment to environmental stewardship, education and social value.
Through its Garden, Kitchen, Classroom ethos, Lodestone House works with schools to connect pupils to the full lifecycle of food, resources and waste – embedding sustainable behaviours early and empowering young people to take responsibility for the environments around them.
Nichola McAvoy, Head of Social Value at Lodestone House, said:
“At Lodestone House, we believe our responsibility extends far beyond the dining hall. We’re passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for pupils to learn about sustainability while making a positive difference within their own communities.
“It has been fantastic to see so many young people and our teams across the UK come together for World Environment Day and achieve these incredible results. By partnering with SUEZ, we’ve been able to turn conversations around waste and environmental responsibility into real action, helping pupils understand the important role they can play in protecting the planet.”
Jack Barber, Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager at SUEZ, added:
“We are delighted to support Lodestone House in delivering this nationwide initiative, enabling young people and school communities to engage with environmental issues first-hand and make a tangible difference. Together we can build a more sustainable future, and we’re proud to play our part in that.”
