International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

Green-Schools is run by An Taisce for over ten years, in co-operation with Local
Authorities throughout Ireland and is sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland Ltd. and
The Wrigley Company Ltd. along with leading integrated waste management company
Greenstar. Green-Schools is an initiative of FEE - Foundation for Environmental
Education and is referred to internationally as Eco-Schools.
Over 2,880 primary, secondary and special schools in Ireland (~ 67% of all Irish
schools) are currently taking part in the programme and 1,277 have been awarded
the Green Flag. The Irish Green-Schools programme is one of the most successful
within the international network and the key to this is partnership between the
Schools, Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce and Local Authorities i.e. the
financial and time contribution of the Local Authorities to the programme. Each of the
Local Authorities (City & County Councils) has an Environmental Education Officer
(EEO). These officers provide on the ground support to schools undertaking the
programme.
Green Green Home Home Programme
Programme
The pilot programme, which began in November 2006, is intended to promote waste
prevention in the homes of the school children associated with Green Schools, thus
targeting some of the wider community. To date ten community areas have been
surveyed and six community focus meetings have been held. At these family-centred
events, a range of environmental issues are presented in a practical manner
focussing on solutions and behaviour change required for their implementation at
home. Issues discussed include energy, water conservation, composting and waste.
New material on waste prevention is currently being developed. A website at
www.greenhome.ie is populated with relevant material to support the project. The
Green Home programme was piloted in several areas and is being expanded in 2009
to include up to 9,000 households.
Green Green Green Business Business Initiative Initiative
Initiative
The Green Business Initiative is a project designed to promote waste prevention and
resource efficiency within the business sector and amongst organisations generally.
The Green Business Initiative works with enterprises and other organisations by
providing practical tools and independent support to enable users to save money and
increase profits, whilst helping the environment. There are three main projects
currently underway within the Green Business Initiative:
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� Hotels Hotels Sectoral Sectoral Projects Projects - the Green Hospitality Award is available to hotels
and similar businesses that demonstrate progress towards environmental
sustainable practices. 135 of Ireland’s largest hotels are already engaged in
this project. Businesses can apply for assessments against bronze, silver, gold
and platinum award criteria. Awards are granted depending on the businesses’
achievements towards implementing environmental management systems
and demonstrating real savings in water and energy consumption and waste
generation.
� Greenbusiness.ie Greenbusiness.ie – this web site contains information and tools to help
businesses and other organisations save money and become more resource
efficient. It includes waste and water audit tools, and provides a helpline for
advice on best environmental practice. Linked to the website is a free site
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes