Litter and Waste

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Litter and Waste
The theme is a great starting point for encouraging a sense of personal pride and responsibility in tackling two visible issues in schools and communities.

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Biodiversity looks at steps which can be taken in schools to increase awareness of the importance of native plants, animals and habitats, and to increase species-richness in a locality.

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Litter & Waste is the first theme of the Green-Schools programme. The theme is a great starting point for encouraging a sense of personal pride and responsibility in tackling two visible issues in schools and communities.

Sustainable Development Goals

Litter & Waste is the first theme of the Green-Schools programme. The theme is a great starting point for encouraging a sense of personal pride and responsibility in tackling two visible issues in schools and communities

Find out more about this theme, upcoming events and competitions, and theme resource clicking on the button below.

Find Out More about Litter & Waste 2025-26

What’s the difference between Litter and Waste?

Litter is a man-made issue, it not only affects our surrounding environment and wildlife, it can also affect our health and wellbeing. By taking initiative to tackle the problem, students and the local community will notice an improvement in their local environments, resulting in a strong sense of personal pride and responsibility. Waste is a mounting problem and we are generating more than ever. Single-use items such as plastic bottles and over-packaged produce are now commonplace. By changing the way we consume, we can help create a cleaner, healthier planet.

Litter is a man-made issue, it not only affects our surrounding environment and wildlife, it can also affect our health and wellbeing. By taking initiative to tackle the problem, students and the local community will notice an improvement in their local environments, resulting in a strong sense of personal pride and responsibility.

Waste is a mounting problem and we are generating more than ever. Single-use items such as plastic bottles and over-packaged produce are now commonplace. By changing the way we consume, we can help create a cleaner, healthier planet.

Facts & Figures

The recommended temperature for classrooms is 18ºC. Every 1ºC increase in temperature over the above figures could add up to 10% to cost of heating bills.
A photocopier left switched on overnight wastes enough energy to make 1,500 A4 copies
Ireland has set three main targets to achieve by 2020: to increase renewables by 20%, to reduce energy consumption by 20% and to reduce greenhouse gas levels by 20%.
Energy-related CO2 emissions, in Ireland, in 2013 were 20% below 2005 levels.

What You Can Do

Litter and Waste may seem inevitable at times, but it’s important to remember that there’s always a positive change you can make. Here are a few ways you can help minimise unnecessary waste in your day to day life.

Prevention: Prevention of waste at its source before it is created is the preferred waste management method – Do you really need to buy that product or service? Do you really need all that packaging?
Minimisation: Waste minimisation (or waste reduction) is often inter-changed with waste prevention. Think of situations where you can maintain, repair, share or sell on. Buy only the quantity you will use.
Reuse: Could the packaging or product be used again when you are finished with it? For example, give envelopes a second life by sticking on new labels and reuse yogurt pots for art and planting seeds. Encourage students and staff to invest in a reusable water bottle, lunch boxes, coffee cups and cutlery for when they are on the go.
Recycling: Recycling is the processing of manufactured products to provide the material to make new ones, using less energy and causing less pollution than using raw materials. It is important to remember to try to choose products made from recycled materials when possible.
Return: The Deposit Return scheme began on 1 February 2024. The cost of the deposit is automatically added to the cost of the drink. You can get your deposit by returning your containers as long as they are displaying the Re-turn logo.
Raise Awareness: You and your committee can raise awareness in your school and local community on the importance of reducing Litter and Waste. Through inclusive Action Days and the spread of information your school can make a positive change.

Useful Links

Nearly all staff have come on board fully, there has been an unbelievably positive response from the school community. We have had a huge amount of positive responses and it has definitely changed the atmosphere regarding litter and waste in the school. Management have been extremely supportive. Our link with Lismore Tidy Towns has worked very well and they have been in our school regularly and we have met them in the community also. We have completed the Neat streets programme and have participated in the YRE competition for 2 years running. We have also completed a big clean up in conjunction with An Taisce. Ella Ryan from Waterford County Council has been invaluable in here advice and support. Timetabling for Green-School’s module worked brilliantly and ensured work was consistent and the feedback from students in this module has been very positive. A large number of teaching staff were allocated to this committee and their drive and enthusiasm has served us well. The grants from An Taisce really helped bring projects to light.

Overall Green-Schools has brought a change in mindset to all of our school.

Green-Schools Coordinator, Blackwater Community School, Lismore

Green Gladiators by Scoil Treasa Naofa, Dublin 8

Check out this video from Scoil Treasa Naofa – they applied for their first Green Flag award in the 2016/17 academic year and impressed with this great snapshot of their work. Thanks to Ms. Ronan and Scoil Treasa Naofa for letting us share!

Resources

We have an extensive range of resources covering all themes.

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Theme: Global Citizenship - Litter & Waste, Litter and Waste

Theme: Global Citizenship - Litter & Waste, Litter and Waste
7 Steps: Fact sheet

Theme: Global Citizenship - Litter & Waste, Litter and Waste
7 Steps: Fact sheet

Theme: Global Citizenship - Litter & Waste, Litter and Waste
7 Steps: Survey, Templates

Case Studies

We have an extensive range of resources covering all themes.

View all the case studies

Litter and Waste

Litter and Waste

Litter and Waste

Litter and Waste

News

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Mascot Design Competition

September 1, 2025

Mascot Design Competition Theme: Create a Mascot Who Cares for the World! Children are invited by the Green-Schools Global Citizenship Team to design a unique character that represents the values …

Teachers’ Seminars for the 2025-26 school year

August 25, 2025

Join us online as we take you through your Green-Schools theme for the year. This seminar is aimed at primary schools, as support for Green-Schools Coordinators. To find out all …

Marine Spatial Planning Photography Competition 2025

August 20, 2025

The Green-Schools Marine Spatial Planning Photography Competition 2025 is coming soon… The Marine Spatial Planning Photography Competition invites secondary school students to capture images of aspects of Ireland’s waterways, ocean …

Litter and Waste

Litter & Waste is the first theme of the Green-Schools programme. The theme is a great starting point for encouraging a sense of personal pride and responsibility in tackling two visible issues in schools and communities

What’s the difference between Litter and Waste?

Facts & Figures

What You Can Do

Useful Links

Green Gladiators by Scoil Treasa Naofa, Dublin 8

Resources

Case Studies

News

Mascot Design Competition

Teachers’ Seminars for the 2025-26 school year

Marine Spatial Planning Photography Competition 2025

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