Perth and Kinross Council schools Eco programme success

Jan 5 2010 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PERTHSHIRE’S education chiefs have hailed a successful 12 months for their Eco-Schools Project.

All Perth and Kinross schools are registered with the programme and 92 per cent have gained an award (11 bronze, 38 silver and 34 green flags).

To gain an Eco Schools green flag a school has to develop projects around issues like energy efficiency, reducing water consumption, waste and litter reduction, school grounds improvement, school travel, health and well-being improvement and supporting biodiversity.

Highlights of 2009 include the securing of funding through local business for the next 12 months by Perth and Kinross Eco-Schools Action Fund.

The fund was set up to encourage schools to achieve ‘Eco-School’ status and provides funding to each school achieving its first Eco Schools green flag. Ten Perthshire schools have already benefited.

The eco-committee of green-flagged Stanley Primary School promoted Compost Awareness Week 2009 in May by composting in their eco-garden.

Pupils in Perth and Kinross were also the first in Scotland to test energy monitoring equipment installed by the council in four schools.

Eco energy monitors give readings of how much electricity, gas or water is being used to help reduce energy consumption.