Green Schools presentation

1. Green Schools
@ St Finian’s Community College, Swords
2018/2019

2. Our Journey
• We had a huge litter problem in the school.
• Our baseline survey identified the extent of the litter
problem.
• We joined Neat Streets as a way of helping our Green
Schools committee work on the Litter theme.

3. The Problem
• Old bins that weren’t fit for purpose.
• Staff shortages – no grounds person to empty bins.
• Litter hotspots in various lunch areas, at the back of the
school.
• No recycling taking place.
• No clear instructions for students.

4. The Plan
• After doing our Baseline Survey, we came up with a plan.
• We put together a litter rota with student volunteers.
• We ordered new recycling bins for big common areas in the
school.
• We did a PowerPoint on Litter and Waste and sent it to all
the SPHE classes.
• We set up our Green Schools/Neat Streets noticeboard.

5. The Problem persists…
• We realised that there were too many inadequate bins on the
school grounds.
• The canteen was distributing plastic bottles, plastic cutlery
and lots of packaging.
• First year students were littering their small courtyard
frequently.
• Lack of knowledge about what was recyclable and what
wasn’t.

6. The Solution….
• We got rid of broken bins and reduced the number of external
bins.
• We petitioned school management to purchase new outdoor bins
for litter and recycling.
• We created a new rota and older students now supervise first year
students at break and lunch encouraging them to use the bins and
recycle.
• We spoke to the canteen about their use of plastic and their
distribution of plastic bottles. The Principal has committed to
buying water fountains in the new academic year.
• We made bins for plastic bottles exclusively and placed notices
about recycling all around the school.

8. Statistics
Before
• 20 students on the
committee.
• 0 recycling bins.
• Litter hotspots.
• Lack of awareness among
students.
Now
• 50 students on the committee
– from all year groups.
• 10 new mixed recyclable bins
(interior and exterior bins)
• Cleaner school, hotspots have
been targeted.
• Greater awareness and
engagement with the
programme among the
student population.

9. BEFORE….

10. AFTER…