A Year 5 class took part in a new interactive workshop, called Better not Litter, as part of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s ongoing school waste education program.

Impact Environmental Education conducted the workshop on behalf of the council.

The session used creative drama and problem solving activities to teach kids how to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste and protect the environment.

The message resonated with 11-year-old Siena Cristafi.

She said it was 10 out of 10 important not to litter.

Sienna Meani, 10, said the education session was very convincing.

“It’s good to learn and play those [workshop] games so we know we can always clean up and never litter,” she said.

Impact Environmental Education program manager Jacqui Murray said the aim was to reduce litter in our beautiful local environment and educate the children about the impacts of litter.

“It’s about learning the habits in the first place that are healthy habits and it’s also about fostering respect for our world and environment,” she said.

Some 17 schools are participating in the program in 2018.

They also have access to other modules focused on reducing packaging, recycling right and recovering organic waste.

Mrs Murray said the education program was empowering for the kids as they could get behind community initiatives such as Boomerang Bags, Coastal Warriors – Mid North Coast and Midwaste’s picitup program.

Mayor Peta Pinson attended the August 1 litter education workshop.