Although the environmental project, Pure, recorded its lowest amount of illegal dumping collected from the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands in 2019, litter and dumping continue to be a serious problem in the South Dublin Uplands.
Last year Pure removed 150 tonnes of illegal dumping from the beautiful, scenic, Wicklow/Dublin Mountains, when compared to ten years previous in 2009, they removed 344 tonnes, which is a 56% reduction. A significant amount of the rubbish removed by Pure was collected by the numerous volunteers involved in the Pure Mile Project. Thousands of volunteers are participating in the Pure Mile Project and this year there are over 550 miles of roads, mountains, woodlands, valleys, and upland amenities being adopted, with hundreds of litter picks and cleanups having already taken place.
The recent fine weather, coupled with the easing of travel restrictions, has seen an increase of visitors to the South Dublin Uplands, and with this, many of the mountain areas have witnessed and increase in litter. One area continually affected by both litter and dumping is the beautiful valley of Glenasmole and Piperstown.
A recent litter pick as part of the Pure Mile ‘Clean Up The Uplands’, by the Atha Cliath Pure Mile Group, resulted in the removal of over 1,000kg of rubbish and waste. Over 20 people gathered on the day and cleaned the roads of Piperstown, Military Road, and then continued into the Wicklow Uplands. The Pure truck concentrated on removing the larger dumped rubbish, which included mattresses, chairs, and other household waste, while the group walked miles of scenic upland road removing all of the litter from the road verges.
Although Pure has removed over 3,400 tonnes (3,400,000 kg) of illegal dumping from this beautiful scenic landscape, they only have one truck and one driver, and unfortunately, they are unable to remove the unsightly small-scale litter. The Atha Cliath Pure Mile clean-up makes a huge difference to the appearance of the Dublin Uplands and a number of other Pure Mile groups are currently organising similar cleanups of the South Dublin upland roads, mountain trails, woodlands and forestries.
Pure Manager, Ian Davis, commented, ‘The South Dublin Uplands is a unique landscape and environment, attracting thousands of visitors annually. It is also worth noting that this landscape is of environmental significance and is now part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. It is an area of both Irish and European significance and protected under the European Habitats Directive as a Special Area of Conservation. The amount of litter and dumping encountered on the day was both disgusting and disheartening. However, the enthusiasm, energy, and commitment, demonstrated by the people involved in the cleanup was extremely uplifting.’
The Pure partnership approach, incorporating statutory and non-statutory organisations, and members of the public, has proven extremely successful in combating illegal dumping in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands and over the past three years they have recorded an annual reduction in illegal dumping activity. This reduction in dumping is a direct correlation with the increase of Pure Mile areas. The Pure Mile makes a huge difference to the South Dublin environment, especially in areas that are affected by littering and illegal dumping. Pure Mile volunteers have totally transformed the upland regions and because of their dedication, determination, and enthusiasm, they have not only reduced illegal dumping, but in some areas, they have eliminated the problem.
Pure provide all Pure Mile groups with signage, Pure Mile bags, gloves, litter pickers and Pure Mile high-vis vests, and they also remove all of the rubbish collected by the groups. The success of this environmental community project clearly demonstrates that people do care about the environment, and, that people want to make a difference to improve and enhance the environment. The role of the Pure Project is to facilitate groups, providing them with equipment, advice, and support, so they can make that difference.
The concept of The Pure Mile is pure and simple, Your Environment, Your Community, Your Heritage.
TO REPORT DUMPERS AND DUMPING LO–CALL 1850 365 121
