Wigan schoolgirl encourages residents to recycle more

Amber with her young friends during the visit of the waste wagon to the school

Ember MacNamara, five, has captured the borough’s hearts since becoming the council’s latest face of recycling and tackling littering.

She initially approached the town hall because she was concerned rubbish left in the borough’s green spaces might hurt wildlife, and council bosses were so touched by her dedication to nature they gave her a lead role in the local authority’s latest green drive.

Now Wigan Council has put her face and the slogan #JoinEmber on the side of a vehicle which collects the borough’s waste. Among the first to see it was the delighted Ember herself and her fellow pupils at Abram Bryn Gates Primary School.

Councillor Carl Sweeney, cabinet member for environment, said: “Ember has made a massive impact and rightly has lots of people pledging their support to #JoinEmber and do their bit to recycle.

“It was a great opportunity to celebrate her passionate work to look after the environment with her friends, and they were absolutely delighted to see her photo on the side of our bin wagon.

“Ember’s passion for looking after the environment is a reminder to us all that what we do now will impact on future generations.

“Recycling is a really simple thing that everyone can do ,and we know that schools across the borough are doing fantastic work in creating the next generation of eco-conscious youngsters.”

Ember’s interest in nature and keeping the environment clean is being encouraged by her proud parents Dave Macnamara and Alison Ball..

Dave said: “It’s a little overwhelming, but the attention the campaign has received is admirable.”

For video from Abram Bryn Gates, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yzModW_Zv4