Fingal ‘Shore to Sea’ initiative reminds about danger of litter on marine life

Aimed to raise awareness on the importance of clean gullies for marine life, Fingal County Council has launched a ‘Shore to Sea’ campaign that focuses on the serious harm of cigarette butts being thrown away and the damage that does to water quality.  

The campaign is a joint project being run by the Council in conjunction with Portmarnock Tidy Towns and St Marnock’s National School.

Together with children and teachers from local school groups, volunteers left “The sea starts here” and “Don’t litter” messages on the entrance to one of Fingal’s Blue Flag beaches — Velvet Strand in Portmarnock.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, said: “I am proud to launch the Shore to Sea campaign, a vital initiative to protect our beautiful coastline and marine life.

“By working together as a community we can reduce litter, raise awareness, and ensure that future generations enjoy the natural treasures of Fingal’s shores.

“This campaign is not just about cleaning up today, but about creating lasting change for tomorrow”.

A common source of litter placed in gullies are cigarette butts.

This type of litter is not compostable and is made of plastic, meaning it can take up to ten years for cigarette butts to break down and leak toxic chemicals.

Many of the gullies in Fingal are linked to the sea, so it is vital that people are reminded to dispose of cigarette butts and other forms of litter in the correct bins.

Importantly, the campaign not only spreads the knowledge of what not to do, Fingal County Council also promotes knowledge on how to dispose litter with no harm for our beautiful coastline.

Cigarette butts must go in a bin or ashtray.

Used vapes damage the environment unless they are disposed of correctly.

Vape batteries are highly flammable and leak chemicals that are harmful to plants.

They should not be placed in black bins.

Instead, they should be recycled in ERP boxes located at most supermarkets.

David Storey, Fingal’s Director of Environment and Climate Action, says that this anti-litter initiative is a critical step towards protecting the county’s 88km of coastlines and the precious marine ecosystems.

“Litter affects not only the beauty of our beaches but also the health of our environment and wildlife.

“By engaging the community and raising awareness, we can inspire lasting change and ensure that our shores remain clean and vibrant for all to enjoy.”

The campaign aims to highlight awareness around the detrimental impacts litter and pollutants can have on marine life and remind everyone that the sea starts long before the coastline — it is nurtured with gullies. Everyone can make a difference no matter where they live.

Fingal County Council is piloting this project on a limited basis.

If you want your school or community group to be involved, please fill in your details: https://forms.office.com/e/R0AHMRAFSr. Our Environmental Awareness Officer will be in touch to discuss the next steps with you and if your area is suitable.