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Primary school pupils have been designing their own heroes and villains as part of a waste and recycling scheme.

The Caerphilly County Borough Council ‘Recycling Showdown’ campaign, which involves pupils in Years 5 and 6, has been running since the autumn.

Artist Jason Hicks and the council’s recycling advisors have been involved in the scheme, which aims to educate youngsters on the importance of recycling – with one eye on the Welsh Government’s goal of becoming a zero-waste nation by 2050.

Pupils from Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili, Ysgol Bro Allta, Park Primary School, Bryn Primary School, and Crumlin High Level Primary School all took part in a series of workshops to learn about the correct ways to dispose of waste.

The hero and villain designs created by the pupils will go to a public vote, with the top-voted designs being used on two art sculptures set to tour Caerphilly County Borough during 2025.

As well as the sculptures, pupils will each receive a ‘Top Trumps’ style pack of cards featuring all of the character designs from across the five participating schools.

Councillor Chris Morgan, cabinet member for waste, said: “It’s part of our strategy to engage with our younger residents to teach them about recycling correctly. This exciting artwork development project allows us to do so in a fun and interactive way.

“The final art sculptures will also aim to inform our other residents and the wider community the importance of recycling and the negative impacts that contamination has on the environment.” 

Visit the council’s website to vote for your favourite design.