Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN) is thrilled to celebrate the success of its Zero Waste Schools Programme in the Belfast City Council area. Three schools, Holy Rosary PS, Knocknagoney PS and Forge Integrated PS came together to celebrate their participation in this pioneering pilot programme at Malone House Belfast on Wednesday 21 May.
The Zero Waste Schools Programme aims to embed Circular Economy principles and actions in schools across Northern Ireland, providing our young people with the knowledge to help them eliminate waste at their schools.
The first of its kind in N. Ireland, the three participating Belfast schools became Zero Waste Champions by participating in a series of practical workshops covering topics such as food waste, waste diversion, stitching skills and challenging textile waste with partnering organisations – Tools for Solidarity, FareShare NI, Habitat for Humanity and Ostrero. This unique programme has the ambitious target of reducing consumption and introducing young people to reuse and repair as an alternative to landfill and recycling.
NIRNs Executive Director Eimear Montague comments, “The programme plays a vital role in promoting sustainability conversations both in schools and at home, empowering children to become champions of waste reduction. Engaging young people early is essential to shifting mindsets—encouraging them to see products and materials not as waste, but as valuable resources that can be reused and repaired. We are incredibly proud of all the schools that have taken part, and deeply grateful to our delivery partners—together, we’ve achieved so much.”
Eimear continues, “By focusing on practical applications such as reuse and repair, students have learned to view discarded items as valuable resources. This shift in perspective is crucial for long-term behavioural change that prioritises sustainability.”
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: “Congratulations to all these fantastic young advocates for waste reduction – and a big thank you to NI Resources Network for their commitment to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable living. We all have a part to play in reducing landfill by reusing and repairing everyday items, rather than simply binning them – and it’s great that these young people now feel empowered to positively influence their friends and family to join the journey to Zero Waste.”
Special thanks to the schools involved, our delivery partners, Belfast City Council and Belfast Lord Mayor Micky Murray for presenting our Zero Waste Champion schools with a certificate of completion and Zero Waste Champion Badges and a bird and bat box all made from reclaimed wood.
The success of this year’s pilot sets a promising precedent for future schools. It is a testament to the power of education in driving environmental change and the importance of engaging young people early in sustainability initiatives.
If a primary school would like to get involved in the Zero Waste Schools Programme, please contact your local council environmental department.
