THIS week over 500 children packed into the Glencarn Hotel while the winners of Monaghan County Council’s Waste Prevention schools competition were announced by Mayor of County Monaghan, Gary Carville.

The competition, organised by Monaghan County Council’s Environmental Section, aims to highlight issues around waste prevention, energy management, water conservation, resource use and sustainable development in different sectors including schools in County Monaghan.

Waste Prevention Project Manager Nial O Connor said: “Prevention is the most desirable form of waste management. Obviously if we do not create waste then we do not have to deal with it. However, some 80 per cent of goods are thrown away after only one use, this is unsustainable. We must change our attitude to waste and develop a preventative approach. By working with schools, the council hopes our young people will develop a positive attitude to waste management thus developing a more sustainable future for all.”

Twenty-one primary schools and over 700 students entered the competition with project teams of four. Topics covered included sustainable transport, alternative energy, landfills, litter, home composting, environmental attitudes and water quality. As the standard of projects entered was so high, judges had a very difficult job.

Mayor Carville congratulated all participants and said they were all winners who had demonstrated commitment to improving their environmental knowledge. Mayor Carville also complimented the teachers and council officials work on the project.

Monaghan County Council has a very pro-active environmental schools programme which promotes environmental issues through talks with schools and the Green Flags programme. For more details on these programmes contact the Environmental Section of Monaghan County Council on 047 30592.