Schoolchildren are helping drive a greener future by naming a fleet of food waste trucks.
The vehicles, in Southampton, will hit the streets with colourful names like Chompy Wompy and Nomatron 3000, chosen through a city-wide competition aimed at promoting recycling and sustainability among young people.
The fun and eco-friendly titles will be displayed on the vehicles as they travel through Southampton collecting food waste.
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Southampton schoolchildren have named a fleet of food waste trucks. (Image: Southampton City Council)
The Lord Mayor of Southampton, councillor James Baillie, said: “It has been an absolute delight to see such creativity, but the real success of this project goes beyond the naming.
“Our waste collection teams have been out in schools speaking to children about the importance of food waste recycling, and it’s been brilliant to see those conversations turning into lifelong habits.
“By getting the children involved in the naming process, we are giving them a real sense of ownership over our city’s green future.
“We are making the essential work of sustainability fun, accessible, and something the whole community can take pride in.”
The winning names and their creators are:
Chompy Wompy, by Marley Jones from St John’s Primary School.
Binderella, by Izzy Hutcher from Tanner’s Brook Primary School.
Bin Appetit, by Athena-Victoria Samson Cayabyab from Kanes Hill Primary School.
FRED, by Esmae Lucas from Mansbridge Primary School.
Nomatron 3000, by Freddie Grove from Freemantle Academy.
Foody Trudy, by Josephine Pearl Tennant from Swaythling Primary School.
The competition sparked enthusiasm across schools, with children submitting ideas ranging from puns to environmentally themed names.
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Kate Brosnan, headteacher at Mansbridge Primary School, said: “The competition created such a buzz in school.
“It was a brilliant way to get children thinking about food waste and recycling in a way that felt fun and meaningful.
“Seeing their ideas brought to life on a real truck has given them a genuine sense of pride and excitement about looking after the environment.”
The vehicles will soon return to their collection routes, spreading environmental awareness as they travel.