Help at hand to give Laois a great big spring clean

Registrations are now open for the National Spring Clean 2023 which includes Clean up Laois Week with packs available to communities around the county to assist with this year's effort. 

Throughout the month of April, the National Spring Clean will encourage communities in Laois to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment. 

National Spring Clean is run by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with local authorities in Laois and other counties. Is supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Mars Wrigley.

Laois County Council and their sponsors Bord na Mona are asking local communities to spring into action and join the fight against litter.  Groups, communities, neighbours and friends are requested to register with the Environment Section to receive packs of bags, gloves and litter pickers and to tackle the issue of litter in their local areas. 

The collected litter will be gathered by Bord na Mona during the week commencing April 24.  

This initiative is Ireland’s biggest and longest-running anti-litter campaign and makes a real impact on local environments.  

Clean Up Laois Week last took place in 2022 and that year the county saw 103 groups registered and in excess of 1,700 volunteers taking part.  We hope that 2023 will be as successful. 

The council says that each year this partnership approach to tackling the ongoing litter problem receives so much support from local residents, community groups, businesses and schools and is a testament to the community spirit that this initiative fosters. 

Laois County Council says it acknowledges the "great work" done by all groups involved and encourages 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 1800 32 32 30. 

Over the past 24 years, the National Spring Clean has been focused on the message of the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem. 

By participating in organised clean-ups, groups and individuals of all ages come together to make a meaningful and positive contribution to their communities – to date this has resulted in the collection of almost 45,000 tonnes of litter across Ireland!

This year, the organisers say the National Spring Clean is also raising awareness about how the adoption of a circular economy model, will reduce our litter, and climate impact.

An Taisce says the circular economy is a waste prevention approach to keep resources in use for as long as possible, enabling us to extract the maximum value from them before recovery and regeneration. 

The ogranisers say this is based on three principles: eliminating waste and pollution, keeping materials and products in use (through re-use and recycling), and protecting nature. 

An Taisce says this means that as we transition to a more circular economy, we’ll see less waste, less litter, and lower emissions, and thus, a cleaner planet.

The organisers say these principles of a circular economy have been central to the ethos of National Spring Clean for the past 24 years. 

Last 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. 

Huge problems with "people hunting rabbits with lurchers" in Laois

Throughout this year’s campaign, National Spring Clean organisers also hope people will consider their waste output and moderate consumption behaviours that produce excess waste, and look at alternatives that will move us away from a throwaway culture to a more sustainable circular culture.

To register for Clean Up Laois Week go to www.laois.ie/departments/environment/community-initiatives/clean-up-laois-week/

Registration forms are also available emailing or phoning the Environment Section at cleanupweek@laoiscoco.ie or 057 86 74322.

Forms to get clean-up packs must be e returned by Friday, April 7. Packs will be available for collection from County Hall, Portlaoise. 

For more about national activities check out www.nationalspring.clean.org

 The 2023 campaign was launched in Laois County Council Portlaoise by Simon Walton, Director of Services Laois County Council; Paul Flanagan, Bord na Móna Recycling, Cllr Thomasina Connell, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council and Emily Doyle, Environment Section LCC and at front: John Ging and John Rogers, Environment Section LCC. Picture: Alf Harvey.