Derinagree National School is a rural school in North Cork with 55 stu
dents and 5 staff, and have been working towards their first Green Flag for Litter & Waste Management by using innovative ways to inform and involve the whole school community about the topic.
Their ‘Rot or Not?’ project saw them create a Waste Graveyard (Biodegradable/ Non- Biodegradable items) in the school and display it for everyone to see. All the classes were involved: Seniors in research; Middle Classes- ordering the timeline; Juniors- bringing in items for the waste graveyard. They used items like cardboard; plastic and even a nappy to show how long our waste takes before it breaks down and biodegrades.
With an excellent committee representing the whole school, plus the support of parents and the whole local community, and their MacGyver style Caretaker, Mr. John O’Connell, Derinagree have been working hard to achieve their target of 50% reduction in waste to landfill from the school. They held a ‘Muck and Magic’ composting demonstration day which was a great success, and have 2 compost bins on the go. They also promote the fact that REDUCE is the best out of the 3 R’s of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Derinagree’s Green Code: “Don't be a silly goose, Start to reduce. Shrinking your trash, Will save you some cash!” By Faye Wrench, Rang 4
Derinagree NS are undertaking their first National Spring Clean event this year and are looking forward to being awarded their first Green Flag soon!