BMW's Picker Pals Programme helps Environmental Change
BMW Group
BMW is supporting Picker Pals, a school-based litter-picking initiative that will reach an additional 2,400 children in over 100 classrooms across Ireland.
Picker Pals hopes to collect 12,000kg of waste from neighbourhoods throughout Ireland.
BMW is collaborating with the environmental NGO VOICE (Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment) to address the issue of trash in the environment. The organisations aim to enhance awareness of circular economy solutions and foster environmental stewardship among children and families.
The initiative includes a 'Picker Pack,' which is sent to each participating classroom and contains resources for teachers and students to use in the classroom, at home, and in the community.
Every week, a different child takes the pack home and conducts a family litter-picking trip in their neighbourhood.
On Monday, they report to their classmates and tell them about their litter-picking activities over the weekend.
The founder of Picker Pals, Patrick Jason, said:
“It’s not just about learning about litter. It’s not just about becoming aware of litter. It’s about actually getting out there and picking up litter. Picker Pals gets children onto the first rung of the environmental ladder. Thanks to BMW Ireland’s generous corporate partnership, we will now be able to grow the programme significantly and reach more children and schools around the country.”
Kevin Davidson, Managing Director, BMW Group Ireland, said:
“We aim to be a leader in sustainable business practices, and this ambition reflects the work we are doing in all relevant aspects, from our supply chain to the production of our cars, and through to being a corporate citizen and doing good for our local community. This clever initiative motivates and equips children to understand the challenges we all face in our local environment daily.”
Picker Pals began less than three years ago and has since expanded to include 1,060 schools and almost 1,300 classes around the country.
The Picker Pack includes everything needed to go litter picking as well as story and activity books in both Irish and English, and on any given weekend, over 1,000 children and their families may be out litter-picking with their families. The programme's expansion is expected to continue through 2023, with assistance from the Department of Environment, Climate, and Communications and local authorities. Along with BMW, the programme is actively looking for more corporate partners.
Source: Business Plus
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