Pupils from across the council area gathered recently to speak out on environmental issues as part of the 2026 Environmental Youth Speak competition, organised by our Waste Management team at the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn.
A total of 27 young people from 14 primary and post-primary schools participated in the event, which aims to advance environmental awareness among the younger generation by providing a platform to research, speak out, and examine environmental issues. The competition had two age categories: Junior (P6 and P7) and Senior (Years 8, 9 and 10).
‘How to be a Binfluencer!’ was the theme for the Junior Section. Pupils were required to demonstrate how to be a positive role model and inspire others to manage their waste responsibly. They shared a wide range of practical steps to help us all change our habits for the better.
The Senior Section had the theme ‘How do we turn the tide on plastic waste?’ Students were tasked with researching the impact of plastic on our environment and exploring ways to reduce plastic waste in our daily lives, as well as influencing others to do the same.
Mayor, Alderman Amanda Grehan, said: “I was honoured to welcome everyone to the Environmental Youth Speak competition 2026. It was fantastic to see such a great turnout for this wonderful event.
“Competitions like this are so important, because they give young people the chance to share ideas, speak up about issues that matter, and inspire others to take action. When it comes to protecting our environment we need exactly the kind of energy and creativity that these students have.
“Well done to everyone involved, you certainly helped us all learn something new.”
Chair of the council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, Alderman Owen Gawith, also praised the efforts of the participants: “I was delighted to be invited to be on the judging panel for this year’s Environmental Youth Speak.
“It was great to hear the many wonderful ideas the students researched for the event to help us protect our precious environment. Their generation will be the ones to help us get it right. The presentations were fantastic and I learnt lots of new tips to reduce waste in my own life.
“The standard was very high, and the judging panel had a very difficult time choosing the winners from such a talented group."
Taking the Junior Section Winners’ Cup back to their school were Eden and Martha from Rowandale Integrated Primary School, who retained the title from 2025 for their school. Ava and Mandana from Anahilt Primary School were second, with Corbin, Mason, Donny and Daniel from Longstone Special School in third place.
The Senior Section Winners’ Cup went to Holly from Laurelhill Community College, completing a hat-trick for the school with its third consecutive win. Eva and Naomi from Friends’ School were second, with Michelle from Wallace High School in third place.
All participants received a certificate, a reusable shopping bag made from recycled material and an insulated stainless steel drink bottle or hot drinks cup.
If you would like more information on how schools can take part in future competitions or to book a visit to your school by the Waste Education Officer, please email: waste.education@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk