Tag Archives: IBAL

THE annual survey of coasts and inland waterways by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Lahinch and Doolin both deemed ‘littered’, with Mountshannon also slipping, to ‘moderately littered’. According to the An Taisce report for Lahinch while the main beach area was “generally fine” it was the prom, rock armour and carparks which brought down the overall litter grade. “Heavy levels” of litter including drinks cans, fast food wrappers, cigarette butts and dog fouling were reported. Marine litter such as fishing crates, nets, ropes etc along with food items was found trapped in the rock armour near the promenade. An Taisce adjudicators found a filled black sack discarded by a ‘Big Bell’ bin with other items accumulated on top. While older bins looked “tired” with a risk of their contents being taken out by birds highlighted. The report also noted the “freshly presented” dog fouling facility was in “very good order”.  Meanwhile the An Taisce report for Doolin pier …

THE latest nationwide survey by business group Irish Business Against Litter shows Ennis retaining its position among the five cleanest towns in the country. According to the survey of 40 towns and cities, the great majority of Ireland’s towns are clean, but two-thirds of city areas still littered. The survey presents a snapshot of cleanliness levels across Ireland as the peak summer tourist season commences. In a statement An Taisce, who carry out the surveys for IBAL, commented: “Remarkable consistency from Ennis, with another top 5 position in the IBAL rankings and again free of heavily littered sites. Eight out of the ten sites surveyed were top ranking, among them O’Connell Street (an exceptionally clean main shopping street), Lidl (Gort Road), Clare County Museum and Tim Smythe Park – the latter is an extensive survey area and despite plenty of activity on a very sunny afternoon, it was very much deserving of the top litter grade.” Over 90% of towns …

DISCARDED cigarette butts, food-related waste and extensive dog fouling has been reported from Lahinch in a survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) of beaches and harbours. The popular resort slipped to ‘moderately littered’ in the report, as did Doolin Pier and Harbour. On the plus side, Mountshannon was again found to be ‘Clean to European Norms’. Overall, litter levels are on the rise, with only 8 of 33 areas surveyed receiving the ‘Clean’ designation. Alongside its impact on tourism and recreation, IBAL is warning that coastal litter has grave implications for the future of our planet. The An Taisce report for Lahinch stated: “There was plenty of dog fouling signage, some attached to railings and rocks, some imprinted on the ground and an audio message – and yet dog fouling prevailed. “Cigarette butts were also obvious, particularly around the drains. Other litter items included plastic bottles, fast-food wrappers and sweet papers; marine related items included fishing lines / nets …

ENNIS remains in the top ten of Ireland’s cleanest towns and cities. The latest survey by Irish Business Against Litter shows Ennis retaining its Cleaner than European Norms status, falling from third to ninth in the ranking of 40 towns and cities. A sharp fall in the number of litter blackspots across the country has brought an improvement in cities in particular, PPE litter is on the decrease, but the prevalence of coffee cups on our streets warrants action such as a levy, says IBAL. 2022 marks the 20th year of the IBAL litter surveys. The An Taisce report for Ennis stated, “Another very strong performance by Ennis with seven out of ten sites surveyed getting the top litter grade and no heavily littered sites.  All approach routes were top ranking, creating a positive first impression of the town.  This high standard was present at other sites, including Westpoint Retail Park, O’Connell Street and Ennis Recycle Facility – the latter was particularly …

IF farmers can be fined because people illegally dump on their property, then the operators of Ennis’ bus and train station should have to pay up for any litter found on its grounds, believes Ennis’ deputy mayor. Councillor Paul Murphy was speaking in the wake of the recent Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) litter league results, which saw the station come in for criticism by the adjudicators despite a strong showing in other parts of the county capital. “If an innocent farmer can get a fine for having rubbish dumped on his land or ditch, can we not issue the landowners of the station with a fine? That would soften their cough,” he said. The final survey of 2021 by business group IBAL showed Ennis retaining third spot in the ranking of 40 towns and cities. However, of all the areas surveyed by An Taisce the station ranked the lowest with a B grade. The adjudicators report stated, “The main litter …

THE proud record of Ennis in presenting a clean and tidy face to the country was maintained with another high placing in the IBAL rankings. The final survey of 2021 by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Ennis retaining third spot in the ranking of 40 towns and cities. According to the study, nationwide litter levels have risen slightly, with cities faring particularly badly. PPE litter was found to be at its highest level since the pandemic began. Naas finished top ahead of Portlaoise and Ennis to record its first win in the annual rankings. There was a slight fall in the number of clean towns nationwide, to 22. The An Taisce report for Ennis stated: “It is only fitting that the 2021 Tidy Town winner should score so well in the IBAL litter league. “It is particularly encouraging that a site which had been seriously littered over the last number of IBAL surveys was now deemed top-ranking …

THE Mayor of Ennis has urged people to pick up their litter following the success of the county capital in this year’s Irish Business Against Litter survey. The first post-lockdown survey by IBAL showed Ennis in third position in the ranking of 40 areas nationwide. The county capital was one of eight areas across the country to be deemed ‘cleaner than European norms’. The success of Ennis in this national survey comes just weeks ahead of the announcement of this year’s Tidy Towns competition results. Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton paid tribute to the outdoor staff of Clare County Council and the volunteers of Ennis Tidy Towns for their efforts in keeping the town looking its best. “We are extremely lucky that everybody in Ennis is extremely proud of their town and the work that is being done,” she said. She pointed to colourful displays of flowers saying “amazing …

THE first post-lockdown survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Ennis again in third position in the ranking of 40 areas nationwide. While the majority of surveyed towns have cleaned up over the past 12 months, litter in the country’s main cities has worsened to levels not seen in ten years. Portlaoise emerged as cleanest town. The study found no fall-off in PPE litter across the country. The An Taisce report for Ennis stated, “Another excellent showing for Ennis, cementing its position among the cleanest towns in the country. There were no heavily littered sites. Woohoo… Ranking THIRD NATIONALLY in the @IrishLitter IBAL survey. Well done to all our volunteers and @ClareCoCo staff 👍🚮♻️@GreenerClare @SuperValuIRL @TidyTownsIre @mrstidytowns @ClareEcho @RTENationwide https://t.co/mFZ9MsqNnB — Ennis Tidy Towns (@EnnisTidyTowns) October 18, 2021 There was plenty of repaving of the town centre sites (e.g., Parnell Street, see below), including many of the laneways off the main shopping streets – these laneways looked great. Despite …