Laois people urged to get their gear for spring clean

Communities around Laois are being urged to spring into action to join the fight against litter as part of Clean Up Laois Week 2026.

Laois County Council, in partnership with their sponsors AES Recycling, are asking local groups, neighbours and friends to register with the Council's Environment Section to participate.

Those who register will receive free packs of bags, gloves and litter pickers to help remove litter in their local areas, which the Council says will also benefit the environment.

AES Recycling will collect the gathered litter during the week after the clean-up is completed from April 13 to 17.

"Each year, this partnership approach to tackling the ongoing litter problem receives enormous support from local residents, community groups, businesses and schools and is a testament to the community spirit that this initiative fosters," said the Council in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

The local authority says this initiative is Ireland’s biggest and longest-running anti-litter campaign and makes a real impact on local environments. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

PICTURED launching Clean Up Laois Week, From left: Laois County Council Chief Executive Michael Rainey; Geraldine Wren, LCC Environment Section; Steven Mullally, Environment Awareness Officer; Pat Delaney, acting DOS; Evelyn Brownrigg, LCC Environment Section; John Ging, Litter Warden; Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of LCC; Binjy, Paul Flanagan, Valdimir Balaz and Mary McGill, AES Recycling. Photo: Alf Harvey. 

Over the past 27 years, the National Spring Clean operated by An Taisce has been focused on the message of the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem. The council says that over, 12 million hours of volunteering were contributed and an estimated 47,500 tonnes of litter across Ireland have been collected.

County Hall adds that by participating in organised clean-ups, groups and individuals of all ages play a significant role in reducing litter and protecting biodiversity while also bringing communities together.

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Apart from inviting people to participate and acknowledging the work done by groups involved, the Council also took the opportunity to encourage the public to be extra vigilant in their own areas, by reporting any litter offences, unauthorised waste collectors, or fly tipping on the confidential freephone litter hotline which is 1800 32 32 30.

Clean Up Laois Week Registration forms are available on the Laois County Council website here, or by emailing or phoning the Environment Section at cleanupweek@laoiscoco.ie or 057 86 89315.