The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has launched a new national anti-litter advertising campaign in the print media. The advertising campaign is a result of an initiative between the Department and the newspaper and magazine industry,
The print media, represented by National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI), NNI Local & Regional, the Regional Newspapers and Printers Association of Ireland (RNPAI) and Magazines Ireland, will be making available, free of charge, Eur500,000 worth of advertising space in order to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the Irish environment. This offer is being deployed by the Department of the Environment in conjunction with the local authorities, the EPA and Failte Ireland to highlight the damaging effects fly tipping and small scale illegal dumping have on our environment and. our economy, particularly on the tourism and agriculture sectors.
Phil Hogan, TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, comments: “In support of this campaign, I recently announced the provision of Eur750,000 to local authorities under a new Litter Enforcement Grant Scheme, aimed at tackling the problems of fly tipping and small scale illegal dumping, through measures such as the use of CCTV. This will help ensure that local authorities are in a position to respond to those who use the helpline by reporting individuals engaging in this anti-social behaviour.”
The Minister has also announced the publication of the 2011 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System Report. The System provides important statistical data about the extent, causes and composition of litter inIreland.
“The report shows that litter levels across the country continue to improve, with over 76% of areas surveyed in 2011 demonstrating a high level of cleanliness,” he says. “These are the best results achieved since monitoring began in 2002, when only 48% of areas surveyed achieved this level, and indicate that the existing anti-litter measures in place across the country are working.”