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.

Explore litter and waste through stories with the Global Goals Book Club. Try The Lorax and Stitched Up to explore the impact of our choices and how we can take action through your Green-Schools action plan and the Bookworm Journey.

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 2026-27

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

Single use Packaging: Did you know that plastics are made from Oil? A lot of energy is used to produce items which are created unnecessarily or only used once and then thrown away. The energy comes primarily from burning fossil fuels which results in the release of the GHG Carbon Dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.
Organic waste and food waste: Food waste sent to landfill emits a GHG known as methane, it is 10 times more potent that CO2. Studies carried out by the UN say that, if food waste was a country, it would rank third as the highest global greenhouse gas emitter.
Incineration: When our waste is incinerated, numerous GHGs are released into the atmosphere, including CO2 and nitrous oxide. The addition of these gases to the atmosphere accelerates climate change.
Refrigeration Units: When refrigeration and air-condition units are not appropriately disposed of there is a risk they will leak and release a GHG called Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This gas is 1000+ times more effective at warming the atmosphere than CO2. Check out WEEE Ireland Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recycling for more info!

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

Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Meáin, Co. na Gaillimhe

Caith súil ar an bhfíseán seo ó Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Meáin, Co. na Gaillimhe. Roinn siad an obair a rinneadar ar an mbrat Bruscair agus Dramhaíola. Tá an scoil seo ar Inis Meáin agus tá neart oibre déanta acu chun dramhaíl a laghdú ar Inis Meáin! Check out this video from Scoil Náisiúnta Inis Meáin, Co.Galway. They have shared the work they did to achieve their Litter and Waste flag. This school is on the Aran islands and made a huge effort to reduce waste on Inis Meáin !

Resources

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Theme: Biodiversity, Global Citizenship - Marine Environment, Global Citizenship Food and Biodiversity, Litter and Waste, Water

Theme: Biodiversity, Climate Action, Energy, Global Citizenship - Energy, Global Citizenship - Litter & Waste, Global Citizenship - Marine Environment, Global Citizenship - Travel, Global Citizenship Food and Biodiversity, Global Goals / SDGs, Green-Schools Project, Litter and Waste, Travel, Water

Theme: Biodiversity, Climate Action, Energy, Global Citizenship - Energy, Global Citizenship - Litter & Waste, Global Citizenship - Marine Environment, Global Citizenship - Travel, Global Citizenship Food and Biodiversity, Global Goals / SDGs, Litter and Waste, Travel, Water
7 Steps: Templates

Theme: Energy, Global Citizenship - Litter & Waste, Litter and Waste
7 Steps: Activities, Lesson plan

Case Studies

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Litter and Waste

Litter and Waste

Litter and Waste

Litter and Waste

News

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