What is Neat Streets

Neat Streets is an anti-litter and waste programme for Secondary Schools in Ireland. The programme is divided up into a number of primary stages over the academic year from registration to awards to help participants run a successful anti-litter and waste campaign. Each school will develop a Neat Streets model that best suits its own circumstances, as schools will identify different priorities and set specific targets following initial investigations. Participating students should be given flexibility to design a project they feel will be most effective in reaching their schoolmates and also engaging the wider community, with novel and creative ideas encouraged. An Taisce provides ongoing support, training, & equipment. Neat Streets works with schools tackling litter and waste. Most schools are working toward their first Green-Schools green flag for litter and waste.  On record, 90% of all participating schools go on to achieve the green flag.

Why students should take part in Neat Streets

Youth comprises 40% of the worlds population. Therefore, young people should be aware of how changes in their environment will affect them and how they can be involved in the issues and future decisions that will ultimately affect them. It is important students become aware of the ways that they can actively participate NOW. The Neat Streets programme helps young people to become more informed citizens on the topic of litter and waste. Students will feel empowered to deduce whether authorities are dealing with environmental issues facing young people. Environmental issues must become more personal to ourselves and our families. We need to take it more seriously. Schools play a key role not only for understanding sustainability in its local and global dimensions but also for fostering their active roles in making a difference. Achieving your first Green-Schools flag is a massive accomplishment as you will be responsible for imparting an important value system which will shape the character of all future students who will pass through the doors of your school. You will become educators not only for your peers but for adults. So.. take this opportunity and join students and secondary schools across Ireland taking action to improve their local environments. Be a leader and take responsibility and ownership for litter and waste while learning new skills and getting involved in a national campaign with international consequences!

Proceed to the ‘Stages’ section to learn more about the steps involved in the programme…