Council urges public to ‘stomp out’ litter

CLARE County Council, in association with An Taisce, is urging people to help “stomp out” litter and clean up the county as part of the 15th annual National Spring Clean Campaign.

Sports clubs, Tidy Towns organisations, businesses, schools, community development groups and residents associations are being invited to come together during the month of April to undertake a clean-up of their local areas. Last year, 175 local community groups in Clare participated in clean-ups.

The 2013 campaign was launched this week in Corofin by members of Corofin Tidy Towns, the Burren Eco-Tourism Network and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, as well as pupils from Corofin National School. The groups are planning a major clean-up on Tuesday, April 2 with volunteers meeting in the carpark beside Corofin Hostel at 7.30pm.

“I am urging as many local groups, schools and businesses as possible to get involved in the Spring Clean campaign in Clare. I am heartened to see the local community in Corofin coming out in force and leading the way in the campaign. Many other groups are doing likewise all over Clare,” said Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Daly.

“In this, the year of The Gathering, we all want Clare to put its best foot forward. There are festivals and events coming up all over the county as part of The Gathering celebrations. The Easter break provides an opportune time for individuals, families and businesses to get involved in local clean-ups and I am urging people to stomp out litter by lending their muscle to this campaign,” he added.

The Environment Section of Clare County Council is assisting community groups and schools who register for the Spring Clean campaign by providing them with a free pass to Waste Transfer Stations/Waste Management Facilities at Scariff and Lisdeen and the Central Waste Management Facility in Inagh.

Participating groups are being reminded to separate recyclables during clean-ups and that while waste from public area clean-ups will be accepted with this pass, private household waste will not. Groups must first register on www.nationalspringclean.org or by calling the National Spring Clean hotline on 01 4002219/4002220.

Once registered, An Taisce will issue groups/individuals with a free clean up kit(s), which contains information, posters, colour-coded refuse sacks for segregation of waste materials, protective gloves and tabards to keep participants safe and clean. 

“Volunteers all over the county are doing Trojan work, week-in week-out, to keep their areas clean and we commend them for this. We are asking people to consider nominating their local Spring Clean hero by posting a picture and details on the National Spring Clean Facebook page. These people deserve recognition for their incredible efforts,” said Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer with Clare County Council.

“Last year, more than 175 community groups participated in National Spring Clean and we’re hoping to build on this number in 2013. We’re calling on more volunteers to come out and help them, or to organise your own community clean-up. This volunteer work develops a respect for our environment that stays with us throughout our adult life. Nil néart go cur le chéile – Many hands make light work”, she added.

To celebrate 15 years of National Spring Clean, An Taisce is also searching for Ireland’s local heroes who have demonstrated their commitment to their local communities by organising anti-litter events. Spring cleaners can nominate their local heroes by posting a picture and details of why their local hero has been suggested on www.facebook.com/nationalspringclean. An Taisce’s National Spring Clean Hero 2013 will be selected during April and will win a spring break in the Kilkenny Ormond Hotel.