Clare County Council, in association with An Taisce, is urging people in every corner of Clare to help “stomp” out litter and get involved in cleaning up the County as part of the 15th annual National Spring Clean Campaign. Sports clubs, TidyTowns organisations, businesses, schools, community development groups and Residents Associations are being invited to come together during the month of April to undertake clean up their local areas.
National Spring Clean has grown from strength to strength over the last number of years with over half a million people taking part and collecting nearly 14,000 tonnes of litter. Last year, 175 local community groups in Clare participated in clean-ups.
The 2013 campaign was launched in Corofin by members of Corofin TidyTowns, the Burren Eco-tourism Network and the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, as well as students from Corofin National School.
The Environment Section of Clare County Council is assisting community groups and schools who register for the Spring Clean campaign by providing them with a free pass to Waste Transfer Stations/Waste Management Facility at Scariff and Lisdeen and the Central Waste Management Facility in Inagh. Participating groups are being reminded to separate recyclables during clean-ups. Groups are reminded that while waste from public area clean-ups will be accepted with this pass, private household waste will not. Details will be issued to groups who must first register on www.nationalspringclean.org or by calling the National Spring Clean hotline on (01) 4002219/4002220.
Once registered, An Taisce will issue groups/individuals with a free clean up kit(s), which contains important information, posters, colour-coded refuse sacks for segregation of waste materials, protective gloves and tabards to keep participants safe and clean.
Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, with Clare County Council comments: “Last year, more than 175 community groups participated in National Spring Clean, and we’re hoping to build on this number in 2013. We’re calling on more volunteers to come out and help them, or to organise your own community clean-up. This volunteer work develops a respect for our environment that stays with us throughout our adult life. Nil néart go cur le chéile – Many hands make light work.”
To celebrate 15 years of National Spring Clean, An Taisce is also searching forIreland’s local heroes who have demonstrated their commitment to their local communities by organising anti-litter events. Spring cleaners can nominate their local heroes by posting a picture and details of why your local hero has been suggested on www.facebook.com/nationalspringclean. An Taisce’s National Spring Clean Hero 2013 will be selected during April and will win a Spring Break in the Kilkenny Ormond Hotel.