2024 Schools Upcycling Competition

Bord na Móna Recycling, Bord na Móna’s waste management and recycling business, has launched its Schools Upcycling Competition. The educational programme is designed to provide primary school pupils in Tipperary and beyond with a platform to raise awareness about upcycling as an environmentally friendly practice, whilst fostering creativity and innovative thinking.

Open to primary schools in the Republic of Ireland, students will be encouraged to showcase their ability to repurpose discarded materials into innovative and functional creations. Participants will use materials that would typically be considered waste or discarded items, with suggested project categories including but not limited to; home decor, fashion and accessories, functional tools/gadgets, and artistic creations. Entries can be made individually, in teams, or as a class.

The winning school of the Bord na Móna Recycling Schools Upcycling Competition will receive a prize of €5,000.

Furthermore, students from the winning class will receive a guided tour of Bord na Móna’s Lough Boora Discovery Park in Offaly, which includes entry to the sculpture park and a field study, including a nature walk and examination of local flora and wildlife. The winning class will also receive a guided tour of Bord na Móna Mountlucas Wind Farm, including entry to its interactive learning hub, a VR turbine tour, and the chance to see a turbine up close.

Going beyond waste management by rethinking waste solutions for climate action, Bord na Móna Recycling is guiding Ireland towards a circular economy, by supporting students in becoming more waste conscious.

Bord na Móna Recycling Brand Marketing Manager Shane Mackey said: “We've all had to change how we think about waste and with the help of schools across Ireland we can continue to minimise landfill, recover resources, and help create a more sustainable future for everyone. Through this competition, the introduction of live classroom educational talks and our free interactive schools recycling pack, which features fun classroom games, facts, and recycling tips we can show the next generation how they can make a big difference. What could be more important than that?”

FURTHER DETAILS

For more information or to enter visit www.bnmrecycling.ie/schools. Closing date for submissions is May 1. For further information on Bord na Móna’s climate solutions, visit: bordnamona.ie.