If you are looking for an Application form or Council Document you will find them in the All Publications section of this website or alternatively if you are looking for an Environment document or Applications form you can find in Environment Documents & Forms section of this website

Almost one third of all household waste is packaging waste. Play your part in helping the environment by following these basic rules.

1. Reduce the amount of packaging that you bring into the household by choosing less. Buy loose or unwrapped fruit and vegetables. Buy in bulk. Buy refills.
2. Reuse containers for their original purpose or a new one. Use old jam jars for more jam or as containers for nails, buttons etc. Choose reusable rather than disposable items. For example why not consider rechargeable batteries, containers instead of foil wrap or mugs instead of disposable cups.
3. Recycle. Choose products that are easily recycled or composted. Use glass instead of plastic, cardboard instead of polystyrene. There are 20 types of material that can be recycled at the Kernanstown recycling centre, Haroldstown recycling centre and Powerstown recycling centre. There are also glass bottle, aluminium can, newspaper and magazine recycling banks around the county.

Home Composting

Materials suitable for composting account for up to 40% of household waste. Composting is such a natural process that it needs little know-how. Straightforward steps and rule of thumbs will lead to successful compost every time. By making home compost you can have a major impact on your own waste reduction while also turning kitchen and garden waste into a valuable raw material.

1. Soil improver. Enrich your soil by digging in your compost into vegetable and flowerbeds. Add your compost into clay soils to give better aeration and sandy soils to hold the particles together to keep moisture.
2. Mulching. Spread a layer of compost about two inches thick around plants to suppress weeds, improve the soil and hold in moisture.
3. Top dressing. Compost is ideal as a slow release fertiliser. Sieve the compost and spread over a lawn to add nutrients.
4. Potting mixes. Sieve your compost and add equal parts of garden soil, sand and your fine compost to have the perfect potting compost.

Green Schools

Carlow County Council administers the Green Schools Programme with An Taisce. The Council continuously promotes the use of good environmental practice in all schools.

1. We provide a point of contact for teachers and pupils interested in finding out about environmental issues or becoming involved in practical projects.
2. We provide practical advice to assist with waste minimisation and composting.
3. We also provide up to date information on environmental topics through leaflets, posters and information sheets.

To achieve Green Flag status schools must work on themes such as waste and litter, energy and water. A Green committee driven by pupils, with the help of teachers, parents and the caretaker works to change the habits of everyone and become more environmentally friendly and reduce the schools carbon footprint.

Why not join the green school list today. For more information on Green Schools in County Carlow contact:

Fionnghuala Ryan,
Environmental Awareness Officer
Phone 059 9136240 or Email [email protected].

Green Schools Carlow