Shorter showers and clothes donations land Cork pupils with eco honour

A group of students from a Cork city school have been recognised on a national level in this year’s Green-Schools programme’s Daily Swaps Challenge.

The initiative, which is run by An Taisce and took place last month, invited students across Ireland to take simple everyday actions, such as taking shorter showers, boiling less water, or donating unused clothes, to reduce water and energy use.

Schools from 18 counties took part, with students recording a total of 22,923 daily swaps.

Students from South Lee Educate Together National School were honoured with the best collaboration award, which celebrates schools that successfully bring together students, staff, families, and the wider community to maximise the impact of their project.

CHALLENGE

Throughout the challenge, the student committee encouraged water and energy conservation across the school community. They visited classrooms to present the campaign and reached out through email and social media to families, friends, and neighbours.

Geoffrey Bourke, of Uisce Éireann, said: “By empowering students to lead sustainability campaigns in their schools and communities, we’re helping young people to understand the connections between water, energy, and the everyday choices we make.”