Scoil Eanna is a special school in Cork City with about 50 students, and they received their Green Flag for the Waste and Litter theme in 2006.

Prior to Scoil Eanna joining the Green-Schools programme all waste was going to landfill. An audit was carried out with the help of all the school staff at the initial meeting. Volunteers were sought for the Green-Schools Committee. The main aim of the Committee was to reduce the waste going to landfill. To do this an action plan was drawn up.

1. Each classroom got a covered recycled container for organic waste and was taught how to use it on a daily basis.

2. Clean waste and dirty waste were separated. Reusable items separated and cleaned where necessary and placed into a clear recycling bag. Dirty waste was put into a black bag. Good habits reinforced on a daily basis will eventually become automatic.

3. A composter was installed and pupils and staff were trained to be responsible for the emptying of the organic waste collected in classroom / dining hall. This was launched with a Fruit and Vegetable Party. Great fun was had by everyone sampling 28 different Fruit and Vegetables. Plenty of material suitable for composting was produced.

4. The latest development is the installation of a wormery, provided by Cork City Council. The school is delighted with their Tiger Worms and pupils and the staff are monitoring the amount of waste consumed by the worms.

5. Litter patrols are done by all classes on a monthly rota basis. The results are monitored and displayed on the Green-Schools Notice Board.

All the initiatives resulted in 85% school waste being recycled. Mainly paper, glass, cans, phones, cartridges etc. 10% Organic waste is composted. Dirty waste reduced to approximately ½ black bags a day. Great use is made of recycled materials in Art Class. Scoil Eanna celebrated their success in the Green-Schools Programme with a rap song. This was sung by the students at their flag raising ceremony attended by the Cork City Lord Mayor Deirdre Clune, and other invited guests. A great day was had by all, despite the rain!