Tullow Library flew the National Spring Clean flag for Carlow this week!

Carlow County Library

Full day Repurposing and Waste Minimisation Workshops hosted

15th April, 2015

Spring Clean at Carlow Library 2015

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Spring Clean at Carlow Library 2015

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Kevin and his crew from SUS Living delivered a wide and varied selection of Environmental Workshops, focusing on Waste Minimisation and repurposing to students from Clonegal and Ballon National Schools, participants from Cairdeas Centre, members of the public with a passion for repurposing and representatives from our pro active tidy Towns associations around the County. Over 150 people attended. This event was made possible due to the support of Libraries Development, LGMA.

National Spring Clean has been operated by An Taisce since 1999 in partnership with the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Local Authorities and is Irelands most popular, well recognised and successful anti-litter initiative.

Sarah McGovern, An Taisce Spring Clean Ambassador called in to Tullow Library to celebrate National Spring clean and meet participants, staff and facilitators alike. "Carlow has a strong tradition of participating in National Spring Clean Campaign and I am delighted to see Carlow County Library Service engaging with such a novel and practical use of their facilities" says Sarah, "I think it is a first in the Country, so well done to the local Library for leading the way."

"Libraries have so much to offer to all of those engaged in environmental or community projects. Whether it is in book form, using our IT and on line facilities, or providing information sessions, such as today," said Josephine Coyne, County Librarian. "We in libraries recognise the important role we play in protecting our environment and providing support for such vital voluntary groups such as Tidy Towns. Best of luck to all of the Tidy Towns entrants in the 2015 competition," she added.

As the designated Enfo library for the County, Tullow Library proved the perfect venue for this event, as both indoor and outdoor spaces were maximised to teach participants to up cycle and repurpose. The Tullow branch also exhibited a selection of the books that would be useful and beneficial to all who are passionate about protecting the environment and promoting sustainable living.

Participants learned:

How to use household used items and waste material that can be collected in any home and school to recycle into a variety of useful everyday objects
How to make decorations from old catalogues, magazine supplements and newspaper
How the addition of a tin can covered in red fabric makes a very creative and decorative tree
How to paint glass containers and how to press flowers to make and decorate cards made from cardboard
How to create different decorations out of aluminum cans
How to make various sculptures and fashion items that had been made with waste material that can be collected in any home or school.

For further details in relation to this event contact jobrien@carlowcoco.ie