Agri Aware and BiOrbic crowned students from Scoil Mhuire Trim in Co. Meath as the National Champions of the transition year programme Environmental Innovators, yesterday, April 7th, at the Bord Bia Global Hub in Co. Dublin.
Students Ciara Duffy, Hannah Mulligan, Majella Martin came out on top with their project on the reuse of baling twine. During the competition, the judges were impressed by the level of research and scientific analysis behind the project.
Ciara, Hannah and Majella’s project on the reuse of baling twine presented uses both in a farming and non-farming scenario. In terms of an agricultural purpose, the reuse of baling twine could be used as a mat for livestock while in terms of a non-agricultural purpose the baling twine could be used in homes to provide insulation and reduce dampness.
These mats made from baling twine are washable and a low-cost reusable option to consider having undergone a number of tests in the lab by the students and their teacher Ms. Belynda Weldon.
The rollout of the programme for the second year running saw over 9,811 Transition Year students take part across 214 schools, which is up on the 8,100 students that participated in the programme last year.
Six top group finalists were chosen to attend the event at the Bord Bia Global Hub and showcase their idea to a number of leading agri-food stakeholders, giving them the opportunity to meet like-minded peers and to demonstrate their learning over the course of the programme.
Second place went to St. Patricks Classical School, Navan Co. Meath for their project on Sustainable Equine Bedding. This project was submitted by Charlie Twomey, Conall O’Sullivan, Conor Duffy and Diarmuid Fallon.
Third place was awarded to Doga Erpolat, Jo Jo O’Connor and Olivia Leonard of The High School in Rathgar Co. Dublin for their project on ‘reducing paper waster by re-making paper’.
Agri Aware Director Marcus O’Halloran said of the event: “The Environmental Innovators Peer Day is always a major highlight in the Agri Aware programmes calendar.
“This year’s Peer Day was no different, with six fantastic projects going head-to-head to be crowned the National Winner of the project. The variety and ingenuity amongst the projects was first class and made the job of picking a winner extremely difficult for our judges.
“Scoil Mhuire were worthy winners and a big congratulations to them and their teacher on their success. Lastly, many thanks to our partners BiOrbic and the supporting agrifood stakeholders who attended to mark the occasion and pick our National Winner for 2025.”
BiOrbic’s Executive Director Derek O’Brien added: “The quality of projects provided by the students this year was excellent, demonstrating innovative, practical and sustainable climate and circular bioeconomy solutions. Congratulations to the winners and participants from schools all around the country”
