PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 25^TH JUNE 2009

ST. MARKS SENIOR NATIONAL SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD, TALLAGHT

RAISES ITS FIRST GREEN FLAG FOR WASTE & LITTER

24^TH JUNE 2009

Staff and pupils at St. Marks Senior National School in Springfield recently celebrated the raising of their first Waste and Litter Flag on Friday 19^th June 2009. Environmental Awareness Officer Sorcha OBrien attended the ceremony on behalf of South Dublin County Council and praised all at St. Marks saying the changes you have made here at St. Marks that are making a difference to our environment. Changes such as reducing the amount of paper being used and recycling all types of waste which will prevent waste going to landfill. Litter is a big problem in Ireland and Tallaght is no different. By litter picking and cleaning up your school grounds you are taking responsibility for your area and showing a great example to the whole community and demonstrating that simple actions can bring about big change.

Coordinating the Green Schools Programme which involves the whole school takes a lot of hard work and dedication, the Green Schools Coordinator at the School is Niamh Fowler.

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 of 2 million in waste, electricity, water and fuel costs this year.The results also reveal that a minimum of 12 tonnes of waste is diverted from landfills in Ireland every school day by schools undertaking the programme.

For further information contact Claire Hinch, Environmental Awareness Section

chinch@sdublincoco.ie