Franklin’s View Road School children are leading by example and picking up litter throughout Waiuku this morning, Be A Tidy Kiwi said today.

“There is nothing more heartwarming or powerful than helping our rangatahi put their words into action,” said Be A Tidy Kiwi spokesperson, Richard Leckinger.

Franklin Local Board, Be A Tidy Kiwi and the Tread Lightly Caravan have joined forces to support the school children. Be A Tidy Kiwi is running a national BandTogether campaign asking everyone to take the Be A Tidy Kiwi pledge and to put litter in its place. The Tread Lightly Caravan is Auckland’s mobile environmental education classroom inspiring New Zealanders to live sustainably.

“The board has already taken the pledge and it’s wonderful to see a new generation committing to putting litter in the right place,” Franklin Local Board member Sharlene Druyven said.

“We have to reinforce the message that the days when you could just lob your takeaway wrapper out the car window are long gone, and the board is grateful these children are prepared to carry that message forward.”

“A Litter Blitz is a great example of students leading the way and taking action in their community. This event works on many levels to engage and educate everyone on the issue of litter in our community and where the litter is coming from,” Katie Jones, General Manager of the Tread Lightly Caravan said.

“So much of our littering is automatic and so much of our litter is invisible. Taking the time to see it, pick it up and count it brings the negative aspects of littering into sharp focus,” Mr Leckinger said.

“Students everywhere are taking a keen interest in how we interact with our environment, for better or worse. Making good on their Tidy Kiwi pledge not only creates pro-social habits, it empowers our children to proactively look after the world they will soon inherit.

“We encourage everyone to go to the BandTogether.co.nz website and make the pledge,” Mr Leckinger said.

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