PRESS RELEASE ISSUED: 20^th May 2009

20th MAY 2009

St. Pauls Senior Primary School, Limekiln Road, Greenhills, Dublin 12 celebrated the raising of their second green flag for Energy on 18^th May 2009.

The flag was raised by Mayor of South Dublin County Councillor Marie Corr and she congratulated the staff and pupils for their hard work and dedication in protecting and improving their environment saying Not only are you conserving energy you are also keeping your school litter free and continuing to recycle paper, plastics, batteries, mobile phones and ink cartridges. When we switch off lights and appliances and keep the heat in by closing doors we are saving energy which is great for our environment as less fossil fuels are burnt which helps reduce green house gases and climate change.

To achieve the Green Flag for Energy the pupils and staff implemented an energy conservation programme this involved surveys of doors left open, room and corridor temperatures. Now staff and pupils ensure that all lights are turned off when not needed and doors are kept closed to ensure heat is retained in classrooms.

Recent research by An Taisce on the economic value of the Green-Schools programme to schools in Ireland has revealed that the programmehassaved schools in Ireland aminimum 2 million in waste, electricity, water and fuel costs this year.The results reveal a minimum of 12 tonnes of waste diverted from landfills in Ireland every school day by schools undertaking the programme. Because the programme also involves the wider community the overall savings to the wider community could be several times the 2 million saved by the schools involved.

Over 3,100 primary, secondary and special schools in Ireland are currently taking part in the programme and 1,465 have been awarded the Green Flag.

For further information contact Claire Hinch, Environmental Awareness Section, South Dublin County Council chinch@sdublincoco.ie