Glanmire Community College is a mixed secondary school on the eastern edge of Cork city. The school is relatively new, and has over 600 students. They started their programme back in 2002, achieving their first flag in 2004 and their second flag in 2006.

The committee comprises a variety of students from most of each of the different years. The representation varies from year to year, although younger students are especially encouraged to help promote the programme in the long term. The co-ordinating teachers are also very involved in every aspect of the programme.

The committee meet every two weeks, and work together as a team by dividing out tasks to be undertaken (e.g. awareness raising, reduction of litter, can recycling, outside environment).

For the environmental review, the committee used the checklist supplied with the handbook. From their review they decided on four areas that they would focus on:

• Awareness raising of the Green-Schools project

• Reduction of litter

• Recycling of can, paper and cardboard

• Outside environment and composting

For example, in setting up the can recycling scheme, the committee first carried out a survey identifying can usage in the school over a week, discussed practical issues for the implementation of the scheme with canteen staff and caretakers, obtained can bins and bags, raised awareness using a ‘Slogan & Poster’ competition, launched a ‘Free Can’ initiative to encourage recycling (i.e. card gets a stamp for each can recycled, 20 stamps = free can), established student rota for sorting/monitoring cans.

Detailed records of the numbers of cans recycled and the weight of paper and cardboard recycled were made and displayed in the form of charts.As a result of monitoring, it was noted that the school paid €4,086.79 for waste disposal destined for landfill for the 5 months between Jan 03 and May 03. In a similar five month period, Sept 03 to Jan 04, when proper recycling practices were in place, €2066.52 was spent on waste disposal intended for landfill. An estimated €2020.27 was saved by the school due to its recycling practices.

For the Day of Action an open day was held to create awareness and promote the Green-Schools programme within the school. It was organised by the committee and funded by a non-uniform day held in the school. A local radio station was contacted and invited to be present and help promote the open day with presentation of prizes and holding competitions such as a quiz with questions about the environment. The local litter warden was also invited to promote awareness on the consequences of littering.