Compost bins are being made available free to all schools in Norfolk, as the County Council marks National Composting Week (May 8-12) by highlighting its own home composting scheme.

Compost bins are being made available free to all schools in Norfolk, as the County Council marks National Composting Week (May 8-12) by highlighting its own home composting scheme.

To mark the week, the County Council will be holding an event at the Forum on Monday - where children from Colman First School in Norwich will take part in composting related activities, whilst officers will be on hand to give advice on home composting and show members of the public the range of compost bins that are available from Norfolk County Council.

To further mark National Compost Week, the council has also arranged for the touring theatre group, Circus Takeaway, to tour ten primary schools across the county to perform their Compost Crusaders show.

Children at each school will learn about the importance of composting household waste through a mixture of magic tricks, juggling, and singing, with plenty of audience participation. The schools taking part are all involved with SWAC (Schools Waste Action Club), which is run by the County Council.

The tour will call at the following:

t Colman First School (Norwich), Monday, 10am.

t Thomas Bullock Primary (Shipdham), Monday, 2pm.

t Ashleigh Infant School (Wymondham), Tuesday, 10am.

t Scole Primary School, Tuesday, 2pm.

t Hainford First School, Wednesday, 10am.

t Stalham Middle School, Wednesday, 2.15pm.

t Southtown First School (Great Yarmouth), Thursday, 10am.

t Caister-on-Sea First School, Thursday, 2pm.

t St. Martin at Shouldham Primary, (King's Lynn), Friday, 10.30am.

t West Walton Primary, Friday, 2pm.

To further help schools deliver the composting and recycling message to children, the County Council is also making up to three compost bins available free of charge for every school in Norfolk.

Cllr Ian Monson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, Norfolk County Council, said:

"It is great that we are able to offer free compost bins to schools. I feel it is so important for the children to understand nature's way of recycling and put what they have learnt into action. By taking the message home children also encourage their families to get involved, and Norfolk's new composting scheme makes it easy for residents to participate."

Around 11,000 Norfolk residents have purchased a compost bin from Norfolk County Council since January. Bins are available from just £4, including free delivery. Members of the public interested in purchasing a bin should call 0845 0770759. Schools can order their bins by calling 0844 8008004.

Martina Glason, Waste Reduction Officer, Norfolk County Council, said:

"By composting you are not only diverting waste from landfill but you will also produce a free fertiliser for your garden. It is a great activity for all the family where children can get involved with helping 'feed' the compost bin."