Is this the UK’s best school trip? One lucky class to win an exclusive tour of AO’s recycling plant, led by kids’ TV presenter

• Competition for the opportunity to win a behind the scenes tour of AO’s recycling plant, led by children’s TV presenter and sustainability influencer James Stewart
• AO will fund coach travel for the winning school to get to Telford and back on Wednesday 6 November
• Entries close at midday on Wednesday 23 October

 

AO, the UK’s most trusted electrical retailer, is giving one lucky school class the chance to win a ‘money can’t buy’ trip to its state-of-the-art fridge recycling centre. 

 

During the first-of-its-kind trip, children and teachers will be able to meet AO’s huge fridge crushing machine Bertha, which weighs 80 tonnes and is the size of a three-storey house. Bertha can ‘eat’ up to 100 fridges per hour and can get through around 700,000 every year. 

 

The winning class will also learn about how AO processes around 200 tonnes of fridge plastic each week (equivalent to the weight of 33 fully-grown elephants). This currently goes on to make new products such as bathroom and kitchen fans and will eventually be used to make new fridges.

 

To make the visit even more special, the tour will be led by children’s TV presenter and sustainability influencer James Stewart, who announced the competition on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook last night (Thursday 3 October).

 

Rob Sant, AO’s group recycling director, came up with the idea for the competition after learning that more than a third of Brits rely on their kids to remind them to recycle. A survey of more than 2,000 British adults, commissioned by AO, found that around 39% of British adults need some help from their children when it comes to recycling. 

 

“We’re really excited to be able to welcome schoolchildren to AO Recycling for the first time ever,” Rob said.

 

“It’s brilliant to see that children are already leading the charge when it comes to recycling at home and what better way to inspire the next generation than by giving them a front-row seat to see Bertha in action and learn exactly how recycling can make a real difference. 

 

“We’re delighted to have James Stewart on board as well. His expert knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainability really shines through and will make the trip even more engaging.

 

“This really is a ‘money can’t buy’ experience and it will be incredibly educational and interesting for pupils and teachers alike.”

 

The tour will take place on Wednesday 6 November. Schools hoping to be in with a chance of winning the fully-funded trip can enter AO’s competition, by filling in this form. 

 

Entries close at midday on Wednesday 23 October, and winners will be notified the following day. For a full list of terms and conditions, click here.