SCHOOL children have gathered over 20kg of old pens in their efforts to reduce waste in North Yorkshire.

Pupils from Moorside Junior and Infant School, St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School and the Holy Trinity Junior School took part in the efforts which were led by students from the Ripon Grammar School.

They collected hundreds of old pens and markers, which weigh the equivalent of 20 bags of sugar, or a six-year old.

The pupils collected the pens with the hope, materials could be used to make folders, pencil cases and shopping bags.

Alex Bainbridge, 8, from Moorside Junior and Infant School said: “It’s important to recycle pens because plastic can kill animals.”

William Parkes, 7, of St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School said “I like the pen recycling because it is helping us to protect our environment.”

Bridget Taylor-Connor at Moorside School said: “It’s great to be part of a wider recycling initiative, the children, who also recycle paper in every classroom, are very enthusiastic to help save the world by recycling."