Pupils from across the Council area gathered recently to speak out on environmental issues as part of a 2025 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 held to advance environmental awareness among the younger generation by providing them with a platform to research, speak out, and examine environmental issues. The competition had two age categories: Junior P6 & P7 and Senior Y8, Y9 and Y10.
Our Mayor, Cllr Kurtis Dickson, said: “It was great to hear the many wonderful ideas the contestants had researched for this event which could help protect our precious Environment. The presentations were fantastic, and I learnt lots of new tips to reduce waste in my own life. Empowering the next generation to speak out is a hugely important part of effective climate action globally, and it will only have a positive effect on our Council too."
‘How to be a Waste Buster!’ was the theme for the Junior section and pupils were required to research how to reduce and eliminate waste in their daily lives and inspire others to do the same.
Chair of the Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, Cllr Pat Catney, praised the efforts of the participants: “I was delighted to be invited to attend this year’s Environmental Youth Speak as a guest judge, and the time, effort and practice the students put in resulted in an amazing range of creative and passionate presentations. The standard was very high, and the judging panel had a very hard job picking the winners from such a talented group."
The senior section had a theme of ‘How being Frugal and Thrifty is cool for the Planet’ asking them to explore how using these techniques is not only cool for the planet but also a great way to reduce waste and save money.
Taking the Junior section Winners’ Cups back to their school were Annie and Lena of Rowandale I.P.S. Moira, with Blake and Issac of Seymour Hill P.S. in second place and Leon of Pond Park P.S in 3rd place.
The Senior Section winner’s trophy went to Molly of Laurelhill Community College, the first student to win the title two years in a row with Rebecca and Belema of Friends School Lisburn in second place and Sara and Zola of Wallace High School in 3rd place.
All participants received a certificate, and a reusable shopping bag made from recycled material and an insulated stainless steel drink bottle.
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