Where did the idea for developing a robot to promote the message about reducing waste come from?
It was actually an idea that we have adapted from a programme in the US. Apparently robots even line dance over there . Our first robot was called Cycler and began visiting schools in 1994. Since then demand has continued to grow. In 1997 we added another two robots to the project. Recently weve joined forces with government body WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme). The robot has been given a makeover, renamed Recycler and is now part of the national Recycle Now campaign. We have also developed new support materials for pupils that link to the campaign. What happens when Recycler visits a school? We have three education officers and three robots who each cover different areas of England: the north, the midlands, and the south. They deliver tailor-made presentations for schools, liaising with the relevant local authorities so that local information is included . For example, we might go to an area where a local authority is introducing a new recycling scheme as Recycler is a gre
