Step 4.       We Have Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation

The first review took place at the end of September 2006.  The amount of rubbish generated in Scoil San Treasa had fallen. Whereas previously two bins were put out for collection by Dún Laoghaire County Council each week, only one bin per week was now being filled. A further litter survey was conducted in March 2007.

In total, three Litter Surveys have been undertaken in Scoil San Treasa- October 2005, March 2006 and March 2007. The following graphs show the results:

Litter Survey March 2007

In March 2007 the Green Committee analysed the data above:

Food Waste
There has been a reduction in the amount of food being thrown into bins in the classroom 153 down to 120 down to 78. This means that either children are eating all their food or they are bringing home their own waste.
Action: Lunch box Campaign to be stepped up.     

Wrappers
Wrappers  were reduced from  174 to  131 and then to 114. This means either that children are bringing in less bars in wrappers or that they are bring home their rubbish.
Action: Lunch box Campaign to be stepped up.

Plastic
The figures here are not good – starting at 58, rising to 114 and peaking at 147. Only some of the plastic had to do with lunch waste (here we must encourage the use of lunch boxes so that the amount of cling film is reduced.) Other plastics were identified as wrappers off new books and  magazines and new classroom resources.
Action: The Green Committee will place 3 bins for plastics around the school so that plastic can be sent for recycling rather than to the land fill. The Green Committee will also discourage buying items wrapped in plastic.

Tin Foil
The statistics are showing improvement -down from 48 to 28 to 21. Again a sign that more children are using lunch boxes. Still room for improvement though.
Action: Lunch box Campaign to be stepped up.

Wet Paper/Tissue
The number of pieces has fallen from 230 to 182 to 179. This comprised mostly hand towel.  Some of the pieces were very big.
Action: Campaign to use hand towel sparingly.

Other
Other materials have been reduced. Some of these were things that had already been recycled for use in art such as pieces of material.
Action: To make as many bins available for things that are recyclable as possible such as a bin for used batteries.

This goal was achieved and Scoil San Treasa now aims at keeping and improving on the amount of waste going to landfill.

In order to involve the September intake of pupils in the Green Schools campaign it was decided that the October Assembly each year should be dedicated to informing and involving new pupils – especially the incoming Junior Infants and their parents about the schools Green Policy.

In addition, there are now facilities to recycle the following are in Scoil San Treasa:

à        Printer cartridges

à        Mobile phone

Following the October meeting of the Green Schools Committee an action plan for the current school year was outlined.