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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.
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.

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

  • 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

mywaste.ie
Litter Less Campaign
Let's Fix Fashion
Food Waste in your School

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 Naisiunta Inis Meain, Co.Galway

Check out this video from Scoil Naisiunta Inis Meain, 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 Inish Meain !

Resources

We have an extensive range of resources covering all themes.
View all resources

Litter & Waste Match the Rubbish Exercise

  • Theme: Litter and Waste
  • 7 Steps: Activities
Preview

World Recycling Day quiz

Get involved with World Recycling Day by taking our quiz!

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

Lunch Waste – Packaging

Use this handy reference to identify types of lunch packaging and how to dispose of it properly!

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

Let’s Talk About Rubbish! (English & Irish)

We give you the best tips and tricks to conduct a waste audit in your school! This resource is in English and Irish and is suitable for all school levels.

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

Case Studies

We have an extensive range of resources covering all themes.
View all the case studies
pob

Pobalscoil Iosolde

Pobalscoil Iosolde is a large Secondary School based in Palmerstown, Dublin 20. They were awarded their first Green Flag for Litter & Waste in 2024.

  • Litter and Waste
Check the case study
mofl

Mother of Fair Love

Mother of Fair Love is a Special School in Kilkenny. It is comprised of 70 students and 17 members of staff. They were awarded their first Green Flag for Litter & Waste in 2024.

  • Litter and Waste
Check the case study
christ

Christ the King Girls School

Christ the King Girls school is a small primary school in Cabra, Dublin 7. They are working on: Global Citizenship – Litter and Waste. 

  • Litter and Waste
Check the case study
1

Dunderrow National School, Cork

Dunderrow National School is a large primary school with 17 teachers and 230 students in county Cork. 

  • Litter and Waste
Check the case study

News

We have an extensive range of resources covering all themes.
View all news

Litter & Waste Webinars for Secondary Students

We have two fantastic Litter & Waste Webinars lined up for our Secondary School students this October… Viola Recycling Centre on 21 October : Discover what really happens to […]

…
Read the news

Launch of our Global Goals Class Sets with Kildare Libraries

This year, we kicked off SDG Week with something very special…the launch of our collaboration with Kildare Libraries! Thanks to this partnership, schools across Kildare can now borrow the full …

Read the news

Marine Spatial Planning Photography Competition 2025

Green-Schools Marine Spatial Planning Photography Competition 2025 My Sea, My Story We are excited to launch the Green-Schools Marine Spatial Planning Photography Competition 2025! This competition invites students across Ireland …

Read the news

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