Rapping robot spreads recycling message

Youngsters across the city will come face to face with a rapping robot, which will tell them how to exterminate waste.

Recycler, a remote-controlled robot, will visit five Manchester primary schools over the next week, teaching more than 2,000 pupils how they can help the environment by reducing, reusing and recycling their rubbish.

The larger than life metallic character will make a dramatic appearance at the schools' assemblies by dancing, singing and rapping to children about the importance of dealing with their waste responsibly.

The robot will tell the children about how it comes from the planet Sludge, but likes to visit the Earth because it serves as a reminder of how its home planet looked before it became covered in rubbish.

It then gives the youngsters a series of tips, such as using paper and plastic bottles as often as possible and avoiding plastic carrier bags.

The robot's tour will start at Newall Green Primary School in Wythenshawe on Monday, April 14, before going to St Catherine's RC Primary in Didsbury and St Margaret's C of E Primary in Whalley Range on Tuesday.

It will then visit Abbey Hey Primary in Gorton on Wednesday and Christ The King Primary in Newton Heath on Thursday.

The robot, provided by the Recycle Now organisation, is accompanied by a waste officer who interacts with the robot and provides information to the children.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "Recycler is a brilliant way of getting children interested in recycling the waste their households produce. It provides a fun, educational show for primary school children to get the message across."

Media contact:

Conrad Astley, tel 0161 234 4027

Manchester City Council launched Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 2008 at Manchester Town Hall.

The campaign will run until 24 May 2008, featuring 100 days of intense activity all over Manchester with the first 50 days focussing on green issues - primarily waste minimisation, recycling and climate change - and the next 50 days focussing on community clean-ups, local environmental improvements and planting schemes.

The council will also be asking residents and businesses about what they want the council to do to help them minimise waste and recycle more.

Challenge Manchester began in 2004 with "Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City", and in its fifth successful year the campaign returns to its core aim to "clean up" the city.

More information about Challenge Manchester and how you can participate appears on our website http://www.challengemanchester.co.uk/

You can also e-mail campaigns.team@manchester.gov.uk

or telephone 0161 954 9000.