Blackrow is helping introduce children to a world of recycling and engineering after installing a stunning steel sphere at Ormiston South Parade Academy.

Just like the Hammy the Haddock, planet earth, and bucket and spade sculptures which passers-by see on Cleethorpes Promenade, this new steel structure is a recycling bin with a difference, and the team hope it will inspire a future generation of engineers.

Just like its big brother on the seafront – a two-metre-tall structure which symbolises the importance the region plays for migrating birds flying around Earth – this smaller sphere is made from ‘marine grade’ steel, which means it will last for many years to come.  

The engineers went back to school to install the special bin as part of a mission to inspire good recycling habits and also to show children how engineering solutions can make anything interesting – even if you are throwing away plastic bottles.  

Many of Blackrow’s engineers, electrical engineers, software engineers, sheet metal workers, fabricators, pipe fitters, machinists and mechanical fitters grew up being inspired by work done in the surrounding area. One of them, Logan Marklew Workshop Supervisor, was the brother of the Ormiston South Parade Academy’s Enrichment Co-ordinator, Kayleigh Miles.  

Because of this, Kayleigh was no stranger to the structures on Cleethorpes beach, but the idea of having something similar installed at the school came about when she was working with its pupils  on a Grimsby In Bloom allotments project. With the project well underway, one of the children turned to her and said they hoped to be an engineer or a welder when they grew up.

Thinking Blackrow could bring its engineering expertise to the school and build something to help its children recycle, Kayleigh shared her plan with her pupils.

Inspired, the youngsters started writing to 75 local companies in the hope they would provide donations to make it possible – and they were not disappointed, as several sponsors stepped aboard.

With the essential funding in place, Blackrow began work.

Months of design and fabrication culminated in a final installation project to put the bin in place at the school. Lewis Crowther, Sales Engineer from Blackrow, said: “It’s always great to build something for the next generation, and seeing the children’s reaction makes me think we might have a few future engineers in their midst. We hope it shows children engineering can come up with great ways to solve everyday challenges: a bin can be anything... a fish, a bucket and spade, a globe or a sphere. The choices are endless once you know how.

“Hopefully, the work of our team will give children a sense of wonder and fun as they throw their recycling away responsibly.”