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Minister welcomes improvement in litter-free areas

The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Tony Killeen, has welcomed the final results of the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) 2007 Litter League. He noted that the levels of litter pollution have declined significantly since surveying first commenced in 2002 when just two towns achieved litter-free status, with 22 towns now achieving that standing. “We must not become complacent,” he said, “but it is encouraging to see an improvement in the level of litter-free areas as reported by IBAL.” 

An annual comparison of League results shows significant improvement in litter levels throughout the country.

In 2006, of the 53 participating towns, 26 were ‘litter free’ (an increase of 4 on 2005), with a further 20 only ‘moderately littered’. Likewise, the number of towns considered ‘seriously littered’ or ‘blackspots’ is declining year on year - down to 7 in total in 2006 from 13 in 2005.

The Minister congratulated the towns that improved their position in 2007 and also those who maintained their litter-free status. “The battle against litter must be unrelenting,“ said the Minister. “Only through a sustained effort by all concerned - the public, businesses, local authorities and the Department – can we win this fight.” 

The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government co–sponsores the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) National Litter League. IBAL’s membership includes top Irish business and commercial enterprise.

Under the League, some 53 participating towns are monitored by An Taisce, on behalf of IBAL, and the results are published in a league format in the national media. The main objective of the League is to encourage improvement in local authority performance in tackling litter through publication of the monitoring results. The League has helped reduce litter pollution in the majority of the participating towns and fostered greater community support (via commercial, residential, tidy towns groups, etc.) for local authority anti-litter actions arising from the heightened public awareness of the litter problem in those towns. Awards are made to litter-free towns at a ceremony in Dublin in December each year, with a plaque for the overall winner. In 2006, IBAL ran a parallel league for 20 areas in Dublin City and County. 
 
Minister Killeen noted IBAL's report that Ireland is now  almost as clean as its European neighbours.

He said the next step is to strive to surpass the European counterparts in 2008.

Source: Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Autor: - jk -