Students in Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré who are active members of the Green Schools Committee and Roscrea Junior Tidy Towns carried out a Community Waste Minimisation Survey in recent months and have now analysed the results and suggest recommendations based on their findings.  The purpose of the survey was to assess the levels of awareness and attitudes in households on topics such as recycling, composting, rainwater harvesting, energy usage in the home and types of transport used in everyday life.  A door to door survey was distributed to households by students in their spare time and collected at a later date.  Students generally looked after the housing estate or area they live in.

The tireless work of the students on environmental and community projects has been recognised both nationally and locally.  The green schools committee raised their water flag this year and won the Green Schools Water School of the year 2016 for the Southern Region.  The students recently accepted a Youth Development Award from Roscrea Enhancement Committee for their contribution to the landscaping and presence at the opening ceremony of the Roscrea Tidy Towns 1916 Community Garden of Remembrance.

The main findings of the households surveyed were as follows:

Recycling

• 85% of households took part in some form of recycling at home where the majority of recycled materials were paper, plastics, glass, tins and composting.
• 83% of respondents knew where their recycling centre is located, however 41% of the households surveyed said they do not use this facility.
• 50% of households engaged in some level of composting with fruit and vegetable peelings and used tea bags being the most common materials composted.
• 48% said they would try and buy products with less packaging.
• 78% of respondents agreed they could do more to reduce waste in the community.

Energy

• 48% of respondents said they fill the kettle for one cup of tea.
• 72% of respondents said they turn off the tap while brushing their teeth.
• 31% of respondents used the washing machine and dishwasher when only half full.
• 74% said they turn off lights when leaving a room.
• 59% said their hot water tank has a lagging jacket.
• 72% of respondents said they use energy saving light bulbs.

Travel

• 48% of respondents said they use a car for short journeys of under one mile.
• 30% of respondents said they use public transport instead of their car.

The results from the survey revealed some interesting facts and it is the aim of the committee to now build on these findings by raising awareness of the benefits, both environmental and financial of taking small steps by changing our habits which will have a positive impact on our community.  The green schools committee are now working on their fourth green flag on the travel theme and the results of this survey will be used to find ways of reducing our reliance on private car usage.

Suggestions from households surveyed included the need for “more public bins and bottle banks” and a “collection service by the recycling centre for people unable to get to local recycling facilities”.  Other comments included the need to “build strong community links between schools, tidy towns committees and local organisations to promote recycling, conservation and biodiversity in our environment.”

Social media is used to raise awareness among the community through the school twitter account and Tidy Towns facebook page with weekly tips on how to reduce waste and develop greener habits.

As we enter the Christmas season the following tips will help reduce waste over Christmas:

• Make a list when shopping and only buy what you need.
• Bring re-usable bags when shopping; they’re not just for groceries.
• Buy rechargeable batteries.
• Buy a Christmas tree in a pot you can later plant out.
• Compost the fruit and vegetable peelings used in preparing meals.
• When buying electrical goods, bring the old goods to the retailer.

The national Tidy Towns Competition 2016 Adjudication Report acknowledged the great strides of Junior Tidy Towns and Green Schools in developing ways to protect and enhance their local environment. We hope to build on this work in the months ahead, especially in the areas of sustainable waste and resource management.