Oldest Agricultural Show goes Green

The Iverk Show in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny will be the first agricultural show in Ireland to “Go Green” this year.  The show committee is working in partnership with the Waste Prevention Officer of Kilkenny Local Authority and the Local Authority Prevention Network to take the initial steps to improve the Show’s environmental performance.

“Going Green” is a phenomenon sweeping across a host of events.  In the Southeast alone, both the Eigse Carlow Arts Festival and the Wexford Opera Festival are turning green.  Greening festivals and large events like the Iverk Show has been supported by the Environment Protection Agency which supports the Local Authority Prevention Network to deliver resource efficiency and waste prevention initiatives at a local, grass root level.

Greening a one day event comes with its challenges. However the Iverk Show committee is getting the ball rolling in 2011.  A number of achievable environmental targets have been set for the show which will take place on the 27th of August.  Over 300 trade stands will be provided with recycling facilities, food service providers are being surveyed to determine future waste prevention initiatives and a special challenge will be set for attendees on the day – to recycle 10,000 drink containers.

The Iverk Show is the oldest Agricultural Show in Ireland with an average footfall of 20,000 people. Getting such a large event to “Go Green” will largely depend on the exhibitors and attendees lending a hand and using the correct bins on the day.  Kilkenny Local Authority is delighted to assist the Iverk Show committee who have risen to the challenge of setting an example for other agricultural shows to follow.

For Further Details; Contact Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness Officer, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Str, Kilkenny City.

Phone-056-7794487 or email; bernadette.moloney@kilkennycoco.ie

http://www.iverkshow.com/