Clonown NS project awarded in Credit Union Green Schools Awards

A project from Clonown NS has placed second at the West-Midlands Credit Union Green Schools Sustainability Awards.

The Athlone school earned its place in the competition for a project tackling the problem of non-biodegradable playdough ending up in landfills.

After confirming that traditional playdough is not compostable or recyclable, the Clonown students experimented with creating their own biodegradable plastic using milk.

Their work highlights the importance of rethinking everyday materials and finding sustainable alternatives.

First place was awarded to Belmont National School, near Tuam in Galway, whose students established a polytunnel that transformed how the school engages with food, sustainability, and the environment.

This year’s Green Schools Sustainability Awards programme saw a record number of entries, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainability and climate action among young students and educators.

The programme encourages and rewards schools who develop and implement projects that promote environmental awareness and sustainable living.

West-Midlands Credit Union said that, from waste reduction and biodiversity to renewable energy and food production, the range and creativity of projects submitted this year was "truly inspiring".

Programmes like the Green Schools Sustainability Awards not only showcase the remarkable work happening in classrooms but also remind us that change starts with young people—and that their voices and actions matter.