St Joseph's Paper and Recycling Klub (S.P.A.R.K) was set up in response to the growing concern of the amount of paper being thrown away in school.

Some of the boys in the eco club (S.P.A.R.K)
The paper recycling scheme is the first thing to be set up by the club and it is in connection with the Recycle for learning scheme.

The recycle for learning scheme is based in Hertfordshire at the Frogmore Paper Mill,
How does the scheme work? The paper is collected from school and then recycled (naturally) at an old Victorian Paper Mill in Apsley, Hernel Hampstead, Hertfordshire back into new paper which we can get back through paper points. Schools are given paper points (1 point for every 1kg of paper collected) these points are redeemed for 100% recycled paper products from the paper mill or pupil visits to the steam driven Victorian paper making machine. Work experience is available to 14 - 19 year olds.

For more information visit www.thepapertrail.org.uk

S.P.A.R.K meet up on Monday's after school and during this time the boys help with the collecting, sorting of the paper as well as other issues such as posters to make people think of reduce, reuse and recycle before throwing away rubbish.

The school is also registered into the Eco-School scheme where there are three award levels, bronze, silver and Green flag status. We have already got our bronze award and are now working towards the silver award!

Our first paper collection for the Paper Mill happened on the 4th July 2007,
A big day for the club.

In total we have managed to collect 60 boxes of A4 black and white and coloured paper.

The boys from the club were on hand to help.