Over 230 students from across the Southern Region of Northern Ireland recently competed in a prestigious schools competition to create the name for the new multi-million pound Waste Management Project.

The competition was aimed at increasing schoolchildren’s knowledge of environmental and recycling issues and the impact that waste has on the environment.

The winner of the competition was Anna Marley from St John the Baptist Primary School (Portadown) who created the project name C.E.L.L. (Cleaner Environment Less Landfill). Anna was presented with a unique winner’s trophy and a £100 hamper of environmental toys and gifts. Her school will also receive a £300 voucher to be used on environmental projects within the school.

Arnold McCullough, Kilkeel High School (Kilkeel); James McCann, Hart Memorial Primary School (Portadown); Megan Baird, Milltown Primary School (Banbridge); Odhran Teague, St John the Baptist (Dromore); and Robbie Brown, Cookstown Primary School (Cookstown) were all presented with certificates of appreciation and a selection of environmental goodies for finishing runners-up in the competition.

Anna Marley from Portadown is pictured with Councillor Charles Rollston, Chair of the Joint Committee of SWaMP2008 (left) and Graham Byrne, Operational Director with SWaMP2008 (right) after winning the competition with her C.E.L.L. (Cleaner Environment Less Landfill) project name.

Arnold McCullough from Kilkeel is pictured with Tara Cunningham, Recycling Officer for Newry and Mourne after finishing runner-up in the competition with his M.O.R.E. (Managing Our Rubbish Economically) project name.

James McCann from Portadown is pictured with Jennifer Wilson, Recycling Officer for Craigavon after finishing runner-up in the competition with his E.C.O. (Environmental Care Opportunities) project name.

Megan Baird from Banbridge is pictured with Tracy Fitzpatrick, Recycling Officer for Banbridge (left) and Caroline Garrett, Principal of Milltown Primary School (right) after finishing runner-up in the competition with her Rubbish Muncher project name.

Robbie Brown from Cookstown is pictured with David Richardson, Recycling Officer for Cookstown after finishing runner-up in the competition with his ‘To Make the World Better’ project name.