We the undersigned are the representatives of the schoolchildren of the 24 EkoSkola schools who attended the EkoSkola Parliament session on 6 June. During this event we presented the assembled MPs with some of the findings obtained from a survey carried out in about 19,000 households in Malta and Gozo.

One of the issues we discussed focused on the practice of sending political leaflets in homes.

Our homes are currently being bombarded by a great volume of political and commercial leaflets and newspaper inserts which, besides increasing the destruction of trees, are contributing in no small way to the waste problem of our country.

Our survey has clearly shown that about half of the families receiving these leaflets do not read them. Moreover, the least read are political leaflets. In fact, 73 per cent of the families preferred not to receive any political leaflets at all.

We pointed out that politicians should show their commitment towards the environment by finding more environmentally friendly and sustainable methods to communicate with their electorate e.g. through SMSs.

Faced with these data, several MPs attending the session proposed stopping the posting of these leaflets. Nevertheless, during the last few days we have noted that certain politicians have continued to post these leaflets.

With the date of the general election drawing near, we would like to appeal to ALL political parties to refrain from sending any more political leaflets.

This would be a tangible way of showing their commitment towards their responsibility to safeguard our future.

Darryl Gouder and Kenneth Terribile (Savio College, Dingli)

Tyler Carabott and Tatyana Darmanin (Ghaxaq Primary School C)

Brandon Saliba and Alexia Borg (William Baker, Gudja Primary School C)

Shawn Caruana and Anthony Carl Cutajar (Dun Guzepp Zammit Brighella BJL, Hamrun)

Matthew Camilleri and Charlot Pace (Kullegg San Benedettu BS, Kirkop)

Chanelle Cilia and Martina Cuschieri (St Joseph, Mater Boni Consillii School, Paola)

Janica Zammit and Andrea Portelli (Carmelo Caruana, Safi Primary School C)

Matthew Azzopardi and Emmanuel Felice (St Bernadette, San Gwann Primary School B)

Colin Deguara and Tyron Cardona (Guze Delia, Siggiewi Primary School C)

Zac Latif and Nadine Amshaya (Dun Guzepp Xerri, St Julian’s Primary School C)

Sharon Azzopardi and Deborah Decelis (Margaret Mortimer, GJL Sta Lucia)

Daniel Xuereb and Alexander Borg (St Albert the Great College, Valletta)

Christianne Mallia and Francesca Sciberras (Dr Frans Chetcuti, Zabbar Primary School B)

Martin Caruana and Sabrine Borg (Antonio Sciortino, Zebbug Primary School B)

Maria Testa and Sean Lia from Leli Camilleri, Zurrieq Primary A