Pupils from East Ayrshire wow at ASSIST conference

Alfie and Jack from Catrine Primary, and Jessica, Lily and Ilaria from Fenwick Primary, along with teachers Mrs Eccleston and Vicky McWilliam, were the stars of the recent ASSIST FM Conference 2025 held at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow recently.

They had been invited by Mark Hunter, Vice Chair of ASSIST, the Scottish local authority catering organisation, to share the amazing work taking place to reduce food waste and increase recycling across East Ayrshire.

Vicky McWilliam, Principal Teacher of Climate Change and Active Travel, supported by Cairey the Caddy, gave a presentation on the Dinnae forget your caddy initiative, which encourages children, young people and their local communities to recycle food waste at home.

Jessica, Lily and Ilaria spoke about the Clean Plates initiative at Fenwick Primary. This initiative encourages children and young people to not waste food at lunchtime. The Clean Plates chart monitors their food waste and pupils with clean plates collect a house point. They also spoke about their work within their community encouraging food waste recycling and a joint initiative with local community magazine 'The Covenanter' that makes it easy for people to order an inside and outside food caddy from the Council.

Alfie and Jack delivered a presentation on the Education Waste Review. This review has encouraged all schools in East Ayrshire to look at ways of increasing recycling and reducing residual waste. Alfie and Jack explained that an education officer visited their school and helped them to maximise recycling opportunities.

Alfie and Jack said: "Each school is looking at their processes and how they can be improved, but it only works if everyone who comes into our schools does their part. At Catrine Primary all the staff, pupils and especially our janitor, are amazing and it really helps to make us the best at recycling."

They concluded that as a result of the Review, the Council is saving over £15,000 annually.

Councillor Graham Barton, Spokesperson for Planning, Property and Environment said:

"I was so pleased to hear that our young people had been invited to speak at the ASSIST conference. They have great news to share from East Ayrshire on the different initiatives that are helping to reduce food waste, increase recycling and promote sustainable waste management. Well done to Alfie and Jack and Jessica, Lily and Ilaria - they really were wee stars."