Carmarthenshire schools celebrate 20-years of eco success

CARMARTHENSHIRE celebrates its success as the Eco Schools programme turns 20 this month (October).

Over the years the county has been one of the authorities with the highest number of Platinum and Green Flag schools in Wales.

The Eco Schools programme is a partnership between the council, Keep Wales Tidy and the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Pupils study topics including waste, litter, energy, water, transport, healthy living and global citizenship.

As the programme celebrates its 20th anniversary, Carmarthenshire schools can also celebrate their success and achievements.

All 119 schools in the county have signed up for the programme.

To date a total of 195 individual green flags have also been awarded to our schools. And 19 schools have achieved Platinum status – the highest accolade possible – equal to four Green Flags – an eco-label for environmental education and performance. These include: Copperworks Infants; Johnstown; Lakefield; Llanmiloe; Pentip; Ysgol Feithrin Rhydaman; Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman; Carwe; Peniel; Ysgol Dewi Sant; Llanddarog; Llandybie; Ponthenri; Saron; Y Ddwylan; Y Tymbl; Ysgol y Castell, Kidwelly; Y Bedol; Ysgol y Dderwen.

In June of this year Bethan Evans-Phillips was appointed as new Eco Schools Co-ordinator for the county.

Eco-Schools is owned by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) and supported in Wales by the Welsh Government. It is the largest sustainable schools programme in the world.

Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans, said: “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Eco Schools programme it is great to celebrate the achievements that our county’s schools have achieved under this programme during the last 20-years.

“A lot of work is going on in our schools to become as environmentally-friendly as possible and this includes reducing energy consumption, recycling and composting as much of their rubbish as possible, keeping their communities clean and safe, walking, cycling or taking the bus to school to reduce car journeys, eating healthily and taking regular exercise.

“The staff and pupils are an example to us all and if we all took a leaf out of their book, we would have a cleaner, greener, safer and healthier Carmarthenshire.

“I would like to congratulate all those involved with the Eco Schools programme and wish continued success for the future.”

For further information on Carmarthenshire Eco Schools please contact Carmarthenshire Direct on 01267 234 567 or visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk . For further information about the programme please visit www.keepwalestidy.org