Prize Winners 2025 |
|---|
| National 1st Prize - Westport Tidy Town, Co.Mayo |
| National 2nd Prize - Malahide Tidy Towns, Co. Dublin |
| National 3rd Prize - Kilworth Tidy Towns, Co. Cork |
Highly Commended |
| Howth Tidy Towns, Co. Dublin |
| Coolagown Development Group, Co. Cork |
The sustainability group ‘One Westport’ is made up of 20 local organisations and has been driving Circular Economy efforts, hosting events featuring workshops on bicycle and clothing repair, clothes swaps, as well as talks on the Circular Economy and sustainability. The group promotes reuse through initiatives like a post-Christmas re-gifting campaign and a St. Patrick’s Day parade workshop, where costumes and floats were made from repurposed materials. Westport Tidy Towns has installed 2 public water refill stations and partnered with several local businesses and organisations to offer free refills in their efforts to reduce single use plastic use. The group promotes sustainability and sustainable activities by directly engaging the community, local schools, and businesses.
Malahide Tidy Towns engaged with Fingal County Council and VOICE Ireland to carry out an ambitious project to remove disposable cups for Malahide village. The project was launched by Minister Daragh O Brien and Fingal Mayor Brian McDonagh, and promoted via workshops, online articles, and volunteers engaging the public directly. The project was also highlighted at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Malahide Tidy Towns encourages clothes reuse through its social media, discouraging Fast Fashion and promoting Pop-up Swap Shops and helps people to achieve a reduction in their food waste through initiatives like Stop Food Waste Workshops.
Kilworth Tidy Towns spread awareness and understanding of the Circular Economy by incorporating its principles into both local events and its approach to climate change. Kilworth hosted uniform swap events in association with a local school, providing community members the opportunity to get pre-loved uniforms in suitable sizes. The group also hosted a Sports Club Gear Swap Day for sports equipment and clothing to Break the Barrier to Sports, aimed at providing equipment to children who needed it. Kilworth Tidy Towns carried out initiatives to encourage sustainable activities like the instillation of RE-Turn bins, a village bookshelf, and an Anti Junk Mail Campaign.
Howth Tidy Towns developed the SEAL award for Sustainable Environmental and Legacy, the checklist for judging criteria included categories such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and recycling, and sustainable food menus. Local businesses were recognised by the judging panel for their commitment to sustainability and waste reduction. The initiative is hoped to be a model for other groups around the country to emulate.
Collagown Development Group carried out an upcycling project to build a shelter for the local National School using locally sourced reused and recycled materials. The project responded directly to community needs as the school did not have a shelter prior and has been a huge success. The shelter is used extensively, and by upcycling and repurposing, the group reduced waste, encouraged resourcefulness and moved towards a Circular Economy.
*Sponsored by the Clean Technology Centre of Munster Technological University