Cloth Nappy Incentive Scheme Returned to Cork in 2025
All kits were allocated within days of the launch
Pictured are Dr Cathy Burke, Consultant Gynaecologist / Obstetrician, Cork University Maternity Hospital; Claire Kelly, Cork City Council; Abi O’Callaghan-Platt, Voice Ireland; Michelle Green, & Katherine Corkery, Cork County Council
Cork County Council was delighted to once again support the Cloth Nappy Incentive Scheme, following a highly successful rollout in 2023 and 2024. Just as in previous years, the scheme was highly popular in 2025 with all Cork County kits allocated within a few days of the launch. The scheme is led by VOICE Ireland in collaboration with Cork County Council, Cork City Council, and Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH).
The initiative was open to antenatal patients at Cork University Maternity Hospital, who were interested in making the switch to reusable cloth nappies. Eligible families had the opportunity to apply for a limited number of free Cloth Nappy Starter Kits, with each kit containing 10 high-quality reusable cloth nappies, a pack of 12 reusable cloth wipes, a waterproof storage bag for used nappies, nappy inserts for absorbency, and comprehensive guidance on use and care.
In 2025, the Cloth Nappy Library joined the initiative, offering workshops and one-to-one guidance to kit recipients. These sessions will help the parents understand the different types of cloth nappies, how to use and wash them, and answered any questions along the way.
According to the 2022 Household Waste Characterisation Report, nappies made up 10% of kerbside residual waste, with over 75,500 tonnes of nappies presented in kerbside waste collection, making them the third largest waste fraction (EPA, 2023).
Please note: The Cloth Nappy Incentive Scheme is now closed to Cork County applicants.
Let's Fix Fashion Campaign
Open to secondary school students actively participating in any Green-Schools theme
The "Let's Fix Fashion" campaign by Green-Schools Ireland is inspiring secondary school students across the country to rethink their relationship with clothing.
Through engaging workshops, webinars, and hands-on activities like clothes swaps and upcycling projects, students are learning about the environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry. The programme culminates in a dynamic student catwalk event, showcasing the creativity and commitment of young changemakers.
By joining, students not only gain valuable skills in sustainable fashion but also contribute to a global movement towards a more circular and ethical fashion industry.
This initiative is open to students in schools actively participating in any Green-Schools theme.
Relove Fashion Competition is Back
Applications now open to teenagers aged 12-19
Delivered by the Rediscovery Centre, Relove Fashion, centres around a creative competition that challenges students to design sustainable outfits using preloved clothing sourced from charity shops, swap shops, or items already at home. Open to individuals, schools and youth groups, aged 12-19, it invites participants to rethink how clothing is made and encourages innovative reuse through upcycling, repairs, alterations, and mending.
From old shirts to bedsheets, from jeans to curtains, it’s all about giving textiles a second life while tackling fast fashion waste.
Teachers, youth groups, and individuals can register now, with early sign-ups before 30th September in with a chance to win a sewing machine!
Picker Pals Schools Programme
Applications are now open to primary schools in Cork County
Picker Pals which is run by Voice Ireland, is now accepting expressions of interest from schools in Cork County. Picker Pals is a fun and educational initiative that empowers children to become environmental champions. Each week, one child will bring home a special Picker Pack and lead a litter-picking adventure with their family. They’ll then share their experience with the class, helping to build a culture of care and responsibility for our local environment, influencing their peers, family and the broader community.
My Club, My Waste Webinars
Empowering Irish sports clubs to adopt and implement sustainable waste management practices
This September, MyWaste are running a series of free webinars aimed at empowering Irish sports clubs to adopt and implement sustainable waste management practices. The webinar series is supported by leading sporting bodies including the GAA, IRFU, FAI and the Federation of Irish Sport. There are two webinars remaining 23rd and 30th of September, from 7.00pm – 7.45pm.
The webinar content is based on introducing the MyClub MyWaste Toolkit to the wider sporting community, and sessions will deliver core waste management content, illustrated with successful examples from GAA, IRFU & FAI clubs, offering practical advice and expert insights applicable to all clubs.
More than just a guide, the MyWaste Sports Club Toolkit is a dynamic resource offering comprehensive, actionable strategies for clubs to transform their waste management. It provides practical advice on everything from waste auditing and prevention to effective segregation and reuse initiatives, empowering clubs to eliminate single-use plastics, promote gear swapping, and track their unique sustainability journey.
Asian Hornet Local Alert for Cobh
Please report any sightings following the recent removal of a nest in Cobh
The National Biodiversity Data Centre has confirmed the presence of the Asian Hornet in Cobh.
Why is this important?
The Asian Hornet is an invasive species and a highly efficient predator of native insects. It poses a serious threat to honeybees, pollinators, and biodiversity in Ireland. Without pollinators, our ecosystems and food systems are at risk.
What to look out for:
Black body with an orange-tipped tail.Yellow tips on the legs
Larger than a wasp (about 2–3 cm long)
Nests often found in hedges, trees, or buildings - do not disturb them, as they can be dangerous.
What to do if you see one:
Take a clear photo if it is safe to do so.
Report the sighting immediately using the official report form.
Anti-Litter Competition Awards
Well done to all who took part, the margins were very tight!
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley and Chief Executive of Cork County Council Moira Murrell, with first place Tidy Town Winners Tadhg O’Duinnin, Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh, Chris Maverley, Crosshaven, Tommy Burke, Millstreet and Mary Corbett, Kanturk at the 2025 Cork County Council Anti-Litter Challenge awards presentations in County Hall.
A record crowd of over 170 arrived in County Hall from all corners of Cork last Monday 15th September for the Anti-Litter Challenge awards. They took a break from keeping our roads, footpaths and streets clean so that Cork County Council could show its appreciation and give them due recognition for their work. In attendance were volunteers from 21 towns and 66 villages across the county who took part in the 2025 Anti-Litter Challenge.
This annual competition has been running since the 1990s and has gone from strength to strength during that time. It brings an element of friendly inter-community competition to the ongoing problem of dealing with litter. Judges visit each community over a six-week period in early summer and score each town and village based on the absence of litter. Those who scored the highest in 2025 were rewarded with cash prizes and those at the very top of the league table had the honour of being named County Champions.
Well done to everyone who took part in the competition and especially to the winners.
Sustainable Development Goals Week 2025
Reeling in the films from the 2025 Rubbish Film Festival
Ireland’s fourth, SDG Week takes place from Friday 19th September to Sunday 28th September forming part of the wider European Sustainable Development Week which runs from the 18th September until the 8th October. This nationwide celebration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is open to everyone - individuals, groups, colleges, businesses and institutions. People can get involved by organising an event or by highlighting an activity or project that promotes sustainable development.
As part of SDG week, the Environmental Awareness Office will be showcasing student films produced as part of the Rubbish Film Festival programme. The winning films from this year’s competition will be shown at cinemas across the county (Bantry Cinemax, Clonakilty Park Cinema, Gate Mallow, Gate Midleton and The Regal Cinema Youghal) for a four-week period, starting on the 5th September.
These inspiring short films, created by local students from Schull Community College (Best Film Award), St Mary’s Secondary School, Charleville (Runner Up Award), St Mary’s Secondary School Mallow (Impact Award) and Loreto Secondary School Fermoy (Poster Competition) highlight environmental issues and solutions in imaginative ways. All 14 films from the festival will also be promoted on Cork County Council's Environment Department Facebook page throughout SDG week.
Make One Change Campaign
Encouraging the people of the county to make small, practical changes in support of climate action
Cork County Council is running its Make One Change (MOC) campaign once again in November 2025. The aim of the campaign is to promote and encourage the people of the county to think about climate change and to make small, practical changes to their lifestyles in support of climate action.
As part of the programme, talks and workshops will be held across the CCC library network, and will include content on energy, travel, food & food waste, the circular economy, shopping & recycling, and local climate & biodiversity action.
While some dates and venues are still to be confirmed, the events programme is quickly taking shape, with a host of exciting and engaging events already planned as follows:
- Talks on the impact on our water systems from hazardous household waste by Ellen Murphy LAWPRO
- A screening of the short Rubbish Film Festival films from 2024 and 2025, produced by Transition Year students which spotlight environmental challenges and drive meaningful change.
- Pedestrian and cycle safety talks by Caroline Casey
- Repair Café’s with Roger Nagle
- The launch of a Multi Culture Cookbook, promoting fresh produce by Pauline O'Grady Noonan, Community Healthcare Worker
Keep an eye on the events page of the Cork County Council website for a listing of all events.
Kinsale Reusable Coffee Cup Project
Another step towards a more sustainable Kinsale
Pictured at the launch: Michelle Green, Cork County Council; Donal Chambers, Chair of TTK; Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Marie O’Sullivan; Raffaella Valenti, Secretary of TTK and Philip Hall, 2GoCup
Transition Town Kinsale (TTK) proudly launched the “Kinsale Reusable Coffee Cup Project” on Thursday, 18th September, marking a significant step towards reducing single-use waste in the community. The initiative aims to cut down on disposable coffee cups, thereby conserving the energy and resources required for their production.
The project is made possible through funding from Cork County Council’s Circular Economy Fund (2025), and is delivered in partnership with 2GoCup.
A growing number of independent cafes and organisations have already joined the movement, including Seeds Bakery, Salvi’s Café, Koko of Kinsale, Gourmet Pantry, Lemon Leaf Café, and Kinsale Community School. The project is open to all local businesses, and TTK encourages others to get involved.
Strengthening Ireland’s Circular Economy - Connect, Communicate, Collaborate
Monday 6th October, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
The People’s Museum of Limerick
Circular.ie, in collaboration with the Southern Waste Region, are hosting an in-person event on Monday 6th October 2025 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm in The People’s Museum of Limerick.
Circular.ie is Ireland’s new national platform for the circular economy. It has been developed to raise awareness, share stories, and provide practical support that help communities, organisations, individuals and businesses embrace circular practices. By highlighting the many ways repair, reuse, waste prevention, and creative upcycling are already happening across Ireland, Circular.ie aims to inspire wider participation and stronger connections.
The evening will explore how groups can strengthen their communications, share their impact more widely, and connect with others working in this space. The programme will include:
- Inspiring stories from community groups already leading circular action locally
- An introduction to Circular.ie, Ireland’s national platform for circular economy initiatives
- Details of the new Circular Communications Grants of up to €5000 and guidance on how to apply
- Food, networking, and plenty of opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences
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