The final litter survey of 2018 by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). shows little improvement in Dublin areas. Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire and the environs of Dublin Airport are all deemed clean, but the City Centre has dropped to moderately littered, Ballymun is again littered and the North Inner City is rooted to the bottom of the litter table, described as ‘seriously littered’.
Another excellent result for Tallaght, which continues to shine as a beacon for other urban areas across the country to follow. Sean Walsh Park was a top ranking site – hugely improved since earlier in 2018 when the pond was a very poor site with regard to litter. Other top ranking sites which deserve a special mention included both recycle facilities at Tallaght Square and at Sean Walsh Memorial Park. Tallaght Village and Tallaght Stadium were also very clean.
Minister Bruton said, “Combating litter is part of a much wider challenge – how we use our resources effectively and adapt to recognise environmental damage more generally. Litter is a very tangible, visible example of the kind of damage that is being done. It is vital that communities, businesses and local authorities in towns all across Ireland, work together to manage waste properly and reduce litter. I hope the recognition these awards provide spur others on to come together to make changes in their local areas.”
“Three years ago we deliberately shone a spotlight on specific city areas in the hope that the attention would spur councils and communities into action,” commented Conor Horgan of IBAL. “It is fair to say we have seen no noticeable improvement in any of these areas – nor have we seen much by way of substantial measures to them turn around.” “The historic development of large areas of social housing has shaped a “them and us” society and the gap is widening. Litter is a symptom of a greater malaise and keeping these areas as clean and well presented as the rest of a city would over time have significant benefits. We need local authorities to take the lead.”
Among the areas to come in for criticism in the An Taisce report was Dublin’s North Inner City, which suffered from litter blackspots on Oriel Street, Dunne Street, Sherrard Street Lr and Railway Street. Ballymun’s result was brought down by dumping and burnt items at the former Towers and recycle facility at the Shopping Centre.
