Schools fly the green flag

Jun 26 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TEN Perth and Kinross primary schools have achieved their first Eco-School Green Flags.

Green Flags are now flying at Arngask, Muthill, Greenloaning, Alyth, Straloch, Strone of Cally, Dunbarney, St Madoes, North Muirton and Luncarty Primary schools.

They have been supported by the Scottish Hydro Electric Perth and Kinross Eco-schools Action Fund, set up by Scottish Hydro Electric in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council and Perth and Kinross Quality of Life Trust. The Fund provides a cash award of £750 for each school achieving a First Green Flag.

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.

Schools can achieve Bronze, Silver or Green Flag Awards, and they have to sustain activities over a number of years to achieve and keep their Green Flag.

Environment convener, Councillor Alan Grant, said yesterday: “Our schools are leading the way in implementing sustainable development in our communities with 100 per cent of them registered, 83 per cent with an award and 16 with a Green Flag.

“We are grateful to Scottish Hydro Electric’s support in recognising our schools’ achievements.”

Scottish Hydro Electric’s head of sustainable development, Dr Keith MacLean, said: “We are delighted to support active citizenship and environmental awareness from a young age.

“I am inspired by what these Perthshire pupils have achieved so far for their schools through the eco-schools programme and I am encouraged to see how much they care for the environment and their commitment to a more sustainable future.”

For more information, visit the Perth and Kinross Quality of Life Trust website at www.quality-of-life-trust.org.uk or tel 0845 605 2000.