Actor Jeremy Irons talks about global waste crisis at UCC

Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons will take part in a discussion following a free screening of ground-breaking environmental documentary Trashed at University College Cork (UCC) on Monday afternoon.

The film is of huge relevance to Ireland where much waste ends up in landfills. Directed by British filmmaker Candida Brady and featuring the Isle of Wight-born actor as investigator and guide, Trashed premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

The film, in which Mr Irons explores the world’s most environmentally polluted places to reveal how rubbish affects our planet and us, has won numerous awards.

The moderated discussion following the screening will focus on waste issues at a global level. It will see Mr Irons engage with students and the wider community about his commitment to lobbying large corporations and governments to change policies on waste.

He will discuss waste solutions, including newer technologies around the world, and explore how a recycling-intensive approach could advance sustainability and equity while creating green jobs.

Mr Irons, who has a home at Kilcoe Castle in West Cork, was made an honorary Cork citizen in 2014 for his work in promoting the arts and various charities as well as his support of environmental causes.

He has been particularly vocal in the anti-incineration movement in Cork Harbour: the Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (CHASE).

This event is coordinated by UCC’s Green Campus initiative, the UCC president’s office and the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Science at UCC.

UCC has been continuously recognised for its work in the area of campus sustainability. In January 2015, the Universitas Indonesia GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities awarded it second place for the second year in a row.