Students lead the eco-friendly way

GREEN SCHOOLS: Twelve schools have won the coveted Green Flag for their work in reducing waste and litter in a programme described by one local authority environmental officer as "the most exciting thing happening in waste management in Ireland".

Sadhbh O'Neill, a former Green Party councillor and An Taisce campaigner on waste who now works for Kilkenny County Council, said some of the schools had gone even further in developing organic gardens and growing their own vegetables.

"Through the Green Schools programme, we can get children involved in the environment at a very young age and that makes a real difference in the long-term," O'Neill said. "By the time they go on to secondary school, it is too late."

She was speaking at the launch by artist Don Conroy of a video, Green Schools Ireland, which is to be distributed by An Taisce to every school in the State. The video follows the progress of students in three schools - Holy Cross College, Kenmare, Co Kerry; St Kieran's boys national school in Galvone, Limerick; and Scoil Áine, in Raheny, Dublin.

Green Schools is a European environmental education programme and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole-school action for the environment. There are 950 Irish schools currently participating in the programme.

Research has shown a 45 per cent diversion of waste from landfill by schools that adopt the programme and that their students are less likely to drop litter, while being more likely to take part in environmental projects, conserve energy and water.

The 12 schools to win the Green Flag this year are: Our Lady of Lourdes, Slieverue, Co Kilkenny; Scoil Bhríge agus Bhreandáin Naofa, Corrandulla, Co Galway; Scoil Íde, Ardnamara, Salthill, Galway; Newcastle national school, Athenry, Co Galway; St Anne's national school, Rathkeale, Co Limerick; Convent of Mercy, Wexford; St Fergal's College, Rathdowney, Co Laois; Portlean national school, Kilmacrenan, Co Donegal; Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Avoca, Co Wicklow; Shillelagh national school, Co Wicklow; Kilcommon national school, Tinahealy, Co Wicklow; and Monastery national school, Ardee, Co Louth.

Four other schools that won Green Flags two years ago have had their flags renewed.