Tarbert Academy Eco-schools committee aims to promote, raise-awareness and take action where possible on environmental issues at school level. It consists of volunteer or elected members across the primary and secondary schools helped by Mr Dessans. The committee tries to meet a couple of times per term to discuss action or upcoming events. Parallel to all the events and activities mentioned below the committee is also trying to achieve a Green Flag award.
The Eco-schools committee organise, a weekly collection of cardboard, paper and plastics in the school. Pupils and staff are now well accustomed to recycling these materials and we try to rotate the year groups involved in this every year. There are also on-going collections of used-up printer cartridges and toners, batteries, and pens to allow these to be properly disposed of. The Rag-Bag scheme gives the opportunity to students and parents to recycle old items of clothing which will be either sent to developing countries or recycled into filling materials for blankets, cushions, etc. For this scheme the school gets 30 pence for every kilo of recycled clothing. Finally the committee always takes part in the yearly litter pick at the White Shore. This year on the 22nd of March the S2 class picked more than 12 kilos of rubbish despite very wet and windy conditions!
When possible and relevant the Eco-school also organise school trips. For example this school year the committee members went on a visit to the Heart of Argyll Beaver Centre where they had an informative and fun day understanding the properties of a peat bog and exploring the beaver trail. They also visited Clachan Hydro at the Allt Mor Hatchery where they witnessed the whole process of producing hydroelectricity.
The committee would like to thank and encourage pupils, parents, and staff for their on-going participation and commitment to make Tarbert Academy as eco-friendly as possible.