This project was initiated by the Parents' Association of Holmpatrick National School earlier this year with Local Agenda 21 Partnership funding.

The "partnership" nature of the project means that it should involve people from the community, local groups and Fingal County Council.

This project aims to enable children to pass on lessons learnt from school composting to members of the community. This will raise awareness of the benefits of composting and so increase the number of households composting in Skerries. The ultimate benefit would be a reduction of the amount of waste from Skerries going to landfill. A plentiful supply of home produced compost should also help to reduce the depletion of Ireland's peat.

The children designed and distributed a questionnaire to determine the extent of composting in the community at the moment. Over 300 responses were obtained (a response rate of 45%) thanks to distribution through all of the primary schools in the town. The results of the survey are available from the Parents' Association and highlight the reasons why people are reluctant to start composting.

These results were displayed at Skerries first ever "Compost Fest" held in the school on 3rd April. Many members of the public attended and children and parents were available to provide guidance and advice on how to compost. Respondents to the questionnaire had the option to be entered into a draw for thirty free compost tumblers. This event will now be followed up by establishing a network of experienced composters in each area of the town who will advise new "converts" to composting on how to succeed. Households who wish to donate their fruit and vegetable waste to composting households in their area can contact the school and this will be arranged for them.

In a year's time, the survey will be carried out again to investigate whether the number of households composting in Skerries has increased and to evaluate the impact of the project.

On St Patrick's Day the school chose the theme of Composting for their entry in the town's parade. This was an excellent way of promoting the project and the subsequent Compost Fest. The children won the prize for the most innovative entry in the parade.

Over the next year, anyone who would like to start composting or who wishes to donate their compostable waste to a willing neighbour can seek help or advice from Skerries Composting Network.

Contact: Margaret Davidson Holmpatrick NS School Secretary on 849 1409 - 10am-1pm