Image: Now How Media Agency
- Over 5400 groups joined the National Spring Clean 2024 campaign, removing over 2,725 tonnes of rubbish from their local communities
An Taisce is delighted to wrap up the 25th anniversary National Spring Clean which saw over 5,400 Spring Clean events take place throughout the country in over the past month.
Every April, the National Spring Clean encourages communities from across Ireland to roll up their sleeves and tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment.
This year, 5,430 groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the country, with over 500,000 volunteers participating in organised clean-ups, collecting an estimated 2,725 tonnes of litter. This brings the total amount of rubbish collected over the past 25 years of the campaign to more than 50,200 tonnes. Furthermore, the National Spring Clean has inspired several community groups in towns and villages across the country to organise regular clean-up events all year long.
The National Spring Clean 2024 has been an incredible opportunity for communities to come together and care for their local environment and help with creating a more sustainable community.
The 2024 National Spring Clean campaign focused on highlighting how the adoption of a circular economy model will reduce our litter and climate impact, by highlighting how the transition to a more circular economy will see less waste, less litter, and lower emissions, and thus, a cleaner planet.
These principles of a circular economy have always been central to the ethos of National Spring Clean – this year some 35% of all waste collected was recycled, thanks to recyclable waste bags provided to groups and individuals who register, while the removal of litter from our natural environment has helped tackle biodiversity loss.
Minister of State at the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth TD, said:
“Over the past 25 years, An Taisce’s National Spring Clean campaign has been a huge success. I am delighted to see another year of positive engagement and community impact. It is fantastic to see the pride individuals take in their local communities. Their dedication and commitment create a really positive impact on their local environment.”
National Spring Clean, Chairperson, Emlyn Cullen, added:
“This year marked an important year for An Taisce as we celebrated 25 years of the National Spring Clean, and we are so proud to collected over 2,725 tonnes of litter. Thanks to the huge effort of our dedicated volunteers, over 50,200 tonnes of litter has been collected over the past 25 years. I’d like to thank all the individuals and groups who came out in droves to help support this campaign.”
Mars Wrigley Ireland Corporate Affairs Specialist Anne Sheeran stated:
“Mars Wrigley is delighted to once again support the National Spring Clean, particularly on this milestone 25th anniversary. It is always impressive to see the large numbers of people who get involved to better their communities. As an organisation, we remain committed to playing our part in the delivery of a cleaner planet, by supporting important initiatives such as the National Spring Clean.”
Even though April is coming to an end, there are plenty of campaigns and activities that The National Spring Clean run and endorse that you can get involved in all year round! Here are some top tips to help keep your community clean and reduce your waste output:
- When you are out for a walk, visiting a park or a beach, do a quick #2MinuteStreetClean or a #2MinuteBeachClean
- Avoid single-use plastic when possible, by choosing more sustainable alternatives, such as reusable bottles and coffee cups, cotton bags, metal straws, etc…
- Don’t litter and if a bin is overflowing, keep your waste until you find a waste to dispose of it properly
- If you can’t reduce or reuse, recycle; know where and how to recycle all types of waste.
- Recent statistics show that, in Ireland, discarded cigarette butts make up for 60% of litter on the streets. Always bin your butt!
- Make sure to bin your chewing gum when you’re done to avoid a €150 gum littering fine and keep our streets clean!