THE team responsible for transforming the county’s waste into renewable energy has turned it attentions to helping students do the same.

Staff from Ardley Energy Recovery Centre, near Bicester, have been out up and down the county working with pupils to help create ‘school tree nurseries’.

With demands for more trees, the incinerator team hope to do their bit by working with local schools on the project.

Waste management company Viridor, which runs the Ardley incinerator, stumped up the funds to pay for 250 tree saplings to be shared out between five schools in the county and afar.

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for environment Yvonne Constance, said: “This is a very good scheme to bring home to youngsters the importance of the environment and of taking steps to secure its future.

"A big thank you is due to Viridor.”

The funding was awarded to the charity Earth Restoration Service, which works to restore degraded environmental habitats and hosts free programmes to schools right across the country.

Aaron Jangaard, from the Earth Restoration Service, said: “Thank you Viridor for helping us to keep growing our tree nurseries in local schools around the UK.

“At this time when funding is being limited for schools it is heartening to see businesses taking leadership and responsibility in their communities.”

The project saw teams of people go along to work with children in various schools to teach them about the importance of growing trees and using waste to create renewable energy.

Pupils were put to work, rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into planting the tree saplings to create new school tree nurseries.

One school that was part of the scheme was Badgemore Primary School. Teacher Tauiqir Ahmad said: “Our Friends of Badgemore School Gardening Club completed their planting to make hedging and contribute to our woodland area.

“We planted an orchard 15 months ago and will have our own apiary making honey this summer.

“These extra trees will provide further tree pollen which will be a great benefit and will attract further wildlife.”

Paul Rowland, Viridor’s head of major contracts, added: “Viridor are delighted to provide funding for this scheme, which underlines our commitment to the local communities.”