“Now more than ever, we can’t lose sight of our power as individuals to bring about change,” says EPA
Second-level students from across Ireland are being asked to consider the global consequences of local actions as the EPA today launches “The Story of Your Stuff” competition 2022.
The competition asks students to think about the wider environmental impact of their everyday decisions. It asks student to research the life cycle and environmental impact of an everyday item – such as their toothbrush – or everyday activity – such as eating their lunch, and to present their findings in a creative way.
Now in its sixth year, The Story of Your Stuff has the empowerment of students at its core, encouraging young people to realise the influence they can have on their friends and family when it comes to making environmentally responsible consumer choices. With its focus on sustainability, waste management, climate action and environmental protection, the competition asks young people to think, talk and make small changes that can have far-reaching impacts.
Entrants visually tell the environmental story of their ‘stuff’ through a creative medium of their choice (including video, animation, infographics, photography, etc.). They are then in with a chance to win €500 for themselves and €500 for their school. There is also a special ‘climate topic prize’ as well as a prize for the best Irish language entry.
Speaking at the launch of the competition, the EPA’s Mr Stephen Fennell said: “Whether using disposable coffee cups, or taking the car instead of walking, or using public transport – these short-term conveniences often are not environmentally sustainable. Our individual actions have lasting impacts, and The Story of Your Stuff competition asks young people how they, and those closest to them, can act in a more environmentally friendly way. Now more than ever, we cannot lose sight of our power as individuals to bring about change, and this competition instils that message among young people. By presenting their findings in a creative way, students will communicate the benefit of making environmentally conscious decisions and hopefully empower others to reflect on their own consumption habits.
Students can access resources from the EPA website, particularly the Irelands Environment and Environment and You sections while researching their topics. These resources will help students to better understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind us needing to change our waste systems, the way we use energy and the ways that we get around, as well as wider environmental concerns.”
Aeronautical engineer, citizen scientist-astronaut candidate and award-winning STEM advocate, Dr Norah Patten returns as competition ambassador for 2022. Dr Patten said: “The Story of Your Stuff is a fantastic initiative, and I am delighted to take on the role of competition ambassador for a second year. Its focus on thinking, talking, and making changes to consumption habits, highlights to students the impact they have as individuals on our environment and climate change. It also allows them to develop important skills that they will use throughout their studies and into the future. I hope The Story of Your Stuff can be an entry point into environmental research and science communication for a new generation.”
Last year’s overall winner was Robert Urquhart from Presentation College Athenry in Co. Galway for his very topical video ‘Story of Disposable Face Masks’. Oonagh Hales from John the Baptist Community School, Co. Limerick was awarded the climate topic prize for her entry ‘The Story of Plastic Cutlery’, while the inaugural Irish-language prize was awarded to Rebecca Ni Challanain and Kate Ni Mhathuna from Gaelcholaiste Charraig Ui Leighin, Carrigaline, Co. Cork for their entry, ‘Scéal Lipéad Crochadh’, which looked at clothing labels.
Over 4,000 Householders benefit from MyWaste.ie’s Food Waste Separation Roadshow.
More than 4,000 households have benefited from MyWaste.ie’s Food Waste Separation Road Show which visited 11 locations across the country in November and December this year.
As part of the roadshow MyWaste.ie’s Food Waste Separation Teams travelled to some of Ireland’s largest towns, met with shoppers, and handed out free household food waste separation kitchen caddy packs with some easy-to-follow advice. The food waste separation packs contained a free kitchen caddy, a starter pack of caddy liners and an information leaflet.
Photographed at the MyWaste.ie Food Separation Road Show were Percy Foster (cre), Minister Ossian Smyth, Anthony Mulleady (Chair), Irish Waste Management Association, Angela Ruttledge (VOICE), Declan Breen (EMR), Sinead Ni Mhainnin, (CUR).
MyWaste.ie, Ireland’s official website for guidance on managing waste, coordinated the roadshow after a Food Waste Recycling Pilot Project published in 2020 demonstrated an increase of between 20 and 25% in food waste tonnage presented, while contamination decreased by more than 56%. In relation to the caddy and liners, as many as 81% of respondents included in this pilot project found the caddy enormously helpful.
Ms Sinead Ni Mhainnin, spokesperson for MyWaste.ie explained that this year’s roadshow gave valuable insight into people’s willingness to segregate their food waste properly once armed with the correct information and equipment. “The use of food waste separation caddy packs, and ongoing correct segregation of food waste has the potential to significantly improve household waste recycling rates. We are confident that food waste segregation will be enhanced due to the circulation of these food waste separation caddy packs,” she said.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Mr Ossian Smyth TD said, “Food waste can create emissions, adding to climate change. But we can limit this harm by separating food from other waste. These food waste caddy packs make it easier for people at home to manage their food waste.” Given the success of the recent roadshow event, plans are now being developed to roll out further food waste separation awareness campaigns in the future. As many as 300,000 packs will be funded by the Government over the next 2 years to support these campaigns.
The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) has also committed to all new household customers signing up to a waste collection service receiving a food waste separation kitchen caddy pack from IWMA affiliated waste collectors from the beginning of 2022.
The Food Waste Separation Roadshow initiative was co-ordinated by the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, supported by the IWMA, Environmental Protection Agency, Cré (Composting & Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland), and the local authorities, and funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications. The road show visited Arklow, Limerick, Navan, Clonmel, Birr, Portlaoise, Wexford, Letterkenny, Belturbet, Ballymun and Carrickmacross.
The Food Waste Recycling Pilot Project published in 2020 is available HERE
To find out more information on food waste management and to have all your waste related questions answered log on HERE.
For more information about preventing food waste visit HERE
Based on our public health advice and based on observations of how Omicron is ripping through the population in other countries; it has wisely and regrettably been decided, in the interest of public health, that the following restrictions be introduced with effect from tomorrow, Sunday December 19th until Sunday January 30th: –
All restaurants and bars, excluding takeaways or delivery services, must close at 8:00pm.
There should be no indoor events after 8:00pm.
For indoor events scheduled earlier in the day, attendance should be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is lower.
Attendance at all outdoor events should be limited to 50% of venue capacity or 5,000 people, whichever is lower.
Wedding receptions can take place after 8:00pm, but with a capacity limit of 100 guests.
Restricted movement advice for all close contacts will be enhanced. For those who have received a booster at least one week ago, they will have to restrict movement for five days and take three antigen tests.
For those that have not yet received a booster, they must restrict their movement for ten days. The HSE will consider the best testing regime for people in this category.
All people arriving into the country from overseas will be required to have an antigen or PCR test in line with their vaccination or recovery status.
And all passengers arriving in Ireland should now be advised to conduct antigen testing on a daily basis, for a period of five consecutive days commencing on the day of arrival.
This Christmas, please be safe, look after each other and trust in science.
Minsters McEntee and Harris launch Further Education and Training guide for domestic and sexual abuse victims.
Guidance on what further education and training options and back-to-work training is available.
Information not previously readily accessible for victims or NGOs.
Initiative is part of 16 Days of Activism international campaign.
Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Mr Simon Harris TD have today launched a guidance document to help victims of domestic and sexual abuse access Further Education and Training related opportunities.
“We wanted to examine how all victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence can access education pathways, and provide a range of opportunities in this area.
The information detailing what further education and training is available may not have been easily accessible to various groups in the sector working with victims, or indeed to the victims themselves.
Frontline services engaging with victims will now have a nationwide list of the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) Adult Guidance Information Service contact points and details on the type of Further Education and Training (FET) opportunities that are available.
This is another step in implementing ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’, our plan to ensure victims are treated with respect and dignity and supported throughout the criminal justice process’’
Domestic Violence Refuges and Support Services and Rape Crisis Centres have direct contact with some of the most vulnerable and traumatised victims and have a key role in matching victims with the available training and other opportunities.
Minister Harris stated,
“Access to education starts with information. It takes great courage for victims of domestic violence and sexual or gender based violence to reach out for help but when they do, our education and training system must be ready to help them.
Further education and training is available in every county in Ireland. It can offer any person, regardless of any previous level of education, a pathway to take them as far as they want to go. The range of courses expands from law to childcare, to hairdressing and ICT. There is something there for everyone.
Today’s announcement brings together key information on what is available and how to access it, and it is there for you when you need it, for whatever you need it for. Throughout life, regardless of present or past circumstances educational opportunities are available for everyone right across country. I would encourage support services and all who come into contact with survivors to use the guide to ensure the breadth of education and training options are known to survivors and their families.”
The guide, which is for use by frontline service providers for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, contains a nationwide list of Education & Training Boards Ireland Guidance Counsellors’ contact details and details on the type of Further Education and Training (FET) available as well as where further information and details can be found online.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that started on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Please find hereunder an update on campus closures for TUS, as a result of Storm Barra.
Three of the six campuses at the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) will remain closed tomorrow Wednesday, December 8th, 2021, following the advice of the Department of Further and Higher Education.
The LSAD, Clare Street Campus, Limerick; Moylish Campus, Limerick; and the Ennis Campus, Co. Clare were also closed today Tuesday, as a result of the Red Alert and Orange warning from Met Éireann.
Athlone, Clonmel and Thurles campuses will remain open again tomorrow Wednesday, but staff and students are asked not to travel from a redor orange area to attend these campuses. This includes those who have assessments and exams. Contingencies will be put in place for those who cannot travel.
Staff and student are advised to follow the TUS social media channels and tus.ie for any updates or changes to this information.
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