Primary school children in Limerick city and county are taking a stand against litter in their local areas, through a unique school-based litter-picking programme called Picker Pals.
The programme, run by environmental, Non-Governmental Organisation VOICE (Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment), fosters ideas to care for the environment and equips children with “Picker Packs” containing everything a child needs to go litter-picking.
Children take it in turns to bring the pack home and lead a litter-picking adventure in their local area. On returning to school, they share their achievements with their classmates and teachers.
There are fun story books about the Picker Pals characters, a song and lots of great classroom learning activities for the children to do as they become young environmentalists. There is even a Picker Pals TV channel delivered free directly to the classes on the programme.
Limerick City and County Council has funded 20 primary schools on the programme this year. Combined with the schools sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, this brings the total number of Limerick Picker Pals classrooms to 59.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said, “it is wonderful to be in Patrickswell NS to see the pupils engage in the Picker Pal experience first-hand. The Picker Pals initiative will complement the various other anti-litter campaigns,including Team Limerick Clean Up, the An Taisce Green Schools Programme and the Leave no Trace initiative, which we will hear more of in the coming months.”
Patrick Jackson, creator of Picker Pals said, “it’s not just about learning about litter. It’s not just about becoming aware of litter. It’s about actually getting out there and picking up litter. Picker Pals gets children onto the first rung of the environmental ladder.”
David Bulfin, Principal of Patrickswell National School said, “the pupils and staff are delighted to be taking part in Picker Pals. Any initiative that encourages the children to look after the local community and have pride in their community is worthwhile. The children of Ms Russell’s 2nd and 3rd class have really enjoyed taking part in Picker Pals so far and love the hands on nature of the initiative. We look forward to taking part over the next few months and are sure that the habits and knowledge picked up in Picker Pals lessons will stay with the children as they grow older.”
Launched in 2020, Picker Pals has been a huge success. This year 30,100 children from every county are taking part in the programme. With their families working alongside them, this will result in 75,000 people getting out litter-picking with huge benefits to themselves and their neighbourhoods.
This will remove over 150 tonnes of waste from the environment as well as raising awareness and showing people of all generations that they can actually do something to make a difference. The Picker Pals website link can be found here.
Applications for the 2021/22 year are now closed but schools can register their interest online here for next year’s programme.
Source: Limerick County Council
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