STUDENTS at Ripon Grammar School are on a mission to help reduce waste by collecting used pens which would otherwise end up in landfill.

Keen environmentalists on the school’s student council have teamed up with a recycling company to ensure their old writing instruments will be turned into other useful products such as folders, pencil cases, shopping bags and notepads.

Head boy Thomas Mewes said: “There are about 1,000 people in school using pens, which are something we don’t think about chucking in the bin, every day.

“If all of us just do a little it can add up to a lot.”

Having inspired fellow pupils to sign up to the scheme, run by BIC pens and Terracycle, the students are now encouraging other schools and businesses to join them.

RGS science technician Dr Karen Piggott has already gathered 1.5 kilograms of pens from classrooms in her department this month.

She said: “It doesn’t take a lot of effort to put them in a recycle box. If everybody did it, it would make a big difference.” Used pens can be be dropped off at the school which will earn one penny for every item.