Ministers O’Brien and Dillon announce expansion of Ireland’s flagship litter‑picking education programme, empowering over 24,000 children and their families.
🌍 National Rollout of Picker Pals
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister of State Alan Dillon TD have confirmed nearly €380,000 in funding for the Picker Pals Programme, extending its reach to 966 classrooms across Ireland this year. Delivered by VOICE Ireland, the initiative equips primary school children with litter‑picking kits and classroom resources, encouraging them to lead family clean‑ups and share their experiences with peers.
🏫 Inspiring Environmental Action in Schools
The programme has become a cornerstone of environmental education, instilling responsibility and pride of place among young students. At Meelickmore National School in Mayo, teachers highlighted how children eagerly take home their Picker Packs, organise family litter picks, and report back to classmates. Similar enthusiasm has been echoed nationwide, with schools noting the sense of achievement and community impact generated by the initiative.
♻️ Building a Culture of Sustainability
Since its launch, Picker Pals has collected more than 900 tonnes of waste across Ireland. This year’s expansion aims to inspire 24,000 children and 36,000 family members, embedding habits of waste reduction and environmental care. The programme also integrates:
- Monthly themed lessons on biodiversity, circular economy, and active travel
- Interactive online sessions and quizzes
- Engaging video content via Picker Pals TV
To promote sustainability, schools receive either a Full Programme Pack or a Booster Box, enabling reuse of existing equipment while refreshing educational materials.
🗣️ Voices of Support
Minister O’Brien praised the initiative as “a fantastic example of inspiring environmental responsibility from an early age,” while Minister Dillon emphasised its success in empowering families to take action in their communities. Gary Jones, Programme Manager at VOICE Ireland, described the scheme as giving children the chance to become “The Boss” on family litter picks, shaping positive attitudes toward the environment.
In summary: With fresh government backing, Picker Pals is set to reach nearly 1,000 classrooms nationwide, embedding environmental values in Ireland’s next generation and strengthening community resilience against litter and waste.
Minister-for-Transport-Darragh-OBrien-Picture-by-AirNav-Ireland.
