A total of 10 schools in Cork County have completed a Composting for Schools programme.

The programme is designed to help them start or improve their composting systems, to reduce waste, save money and combat climate change.

Delivered by Composting Ireland and supported by Cork County Council, the programme was set up to help students learn about composting and gardening using a variety of fun interactive activities to create a better understanding of the principles of ecology and biodiversity that underpin all life on our planet.

Participating Cork County schools included Colaiste na Toirbhirte Bandon, Scoil Fhiachna Glengarriff, Ballymoney National School, Scoil Phádraig Naofa Bandon, Gaelscoil Charraig Ui Leighin, Scoil Mhuire Naofa Carrigtwohill, Kilcolman National School, Timoleague National School, Bweeng National School and Carriganima National School.

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To enhance their composting facilities, Cork County Council provided each participating school with a €250 voucher to spend on a variety of composting systems and tools including secateurs, pitch forks, watering cans and thermometers, in-school collection caddies and instructional signs.

Of the ten participating schools, eight schools have already opted to install a composter, improve their existing systems or add new composting units such as leaf mould cages, garden composting systems and wormeries to provide both a means of composting leftovers from school lunches and a resource for nature education.

The schools are also supported by site visits from Composting Ireland, to establish their needs and receive assistance to set up and maintain their new composting regimes.