Best ever result for Tallaght in the latest litter survey

TALLAGHT has climbed “spectacularly” in the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) rankings, according to its latest survey.

The Southside suburb is now at number five in a list of 40 towns and cities and has been declared ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ after a previous designation as a litter blackspot.

An Taisce surveyed 25 towns and 15 city areas on behalf of IBAL and of these, 88 per cent were deemed clean, a slight improvement on the previous year.

According to IBAL, progress in cities has been much slower than in towns, and much less consistent.

Continuing a trend of recent years, litter levels increased in Dublin City Centre towards the end of the year.

“The council has been successful in keeping our capital clean for the peak summer season, but less so when it is over,” said Conor Horgan.

“Cleanliness is not just for tourists – it should be year-long.”

And while the main shopping street areas of Henry Street, O’Connell Street and Grafton Street wer presented particularly well, there were litter blackspots on Mountjoy Street, Hanover Lane and Capel Street.

 The group contends that it is no coincidence that the worst performing areas in the rankings are among the least affluent in the country, as defined by the Pobal Deprivation Index.

“Products of poor planning, disadvantaged communities are prone to litter on two fronts,” Mr Horgan stated.

“In the first instance, they tend to be neglected by the local authority, which concentrates their cleaning efforts on city centre locations.

“This is compounded by an absence of pride in the locality in these areas, where communities are often transient and amenities lacking.”

However, IBAL said it intends to continue to work to make these areas clean over the long-term.       

 According to the survey, 2017 saw falls in the prevalence of fast food wrappers, plastic bottles and dog fouling.

However, chewing gum, cigarette butts and cans continue to be major sources of litter.

Denis Naughten, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, said he broadly welcoming the results.

He also congratulated the communities and councils across Ireland for their hard work during the past year.

“I am pleased to note the overall results of the litter league, which show that 80 per cent of towns and cities in Ireland were found by the IBAL survey to be as clean as or cleaner than their European counterparts.

“The success achieved across the country in the 2017 Litter League shows that, collectively, we are continuing to improve the situation.

“However, we cannot afford to be complacent,” the minister added.

“Ireland still has a significant issue with litter including chewing gum, cigarette butts and cans that continue to be major sources of litter. 

“It is important that we continue to work together to win the fight.”