How pupils can earn money for their school in contest to design Hartlepool firm's mug

Hartlepool s J&B Recycling has launched a competition asking youngsters to design a new mug for the company.

The firm’s chief executive, Vikki Jackson-Smith, says the competition aims to get children thinking about recycling and the wider environment.

She said: “Before Covid, children were able to visit our plant to find out about the recycling process and how it fits into long-term sustainability of the environment.

"We also went out to schools to speak to children about the recycling process.

“Whilst we have zoomed into a couple of school assemblies to talk about recycling, it isn’t the same as being able to speak directly to the children to engage with them and it certainly isn’t the same as them actually being able to see the recycling process at the plant.”

She added: “So we thought we would set them a challenge. We were thinking about getting new company mugs, and it just seemed like the perfect opportunity to get children involved”.

Vikki says she hopes that the children will come up with some really colorful, fun, creative designs that show a snapshot of the recycling process and what it means for the environment.

The child who submits the winning design will receive £50 in vouchers for either Waterstones, WH Smith or Hobbycraft and the company plans to sell the mugs - with all proceeds going to the winning pupil’s school.

For more information about the competition and to download the application form, visit www.jbrecycling.co.uk/news.