Council Urges Public To Help Clean Up County Clare

Every year thousands of people in Clare come together to organise clean up events in their communities as part of the 10th National Spring Clean Campaign. Participation in the campaign is open to individuals, schools, businesses and community groups, including Tidy Towns committees, residents’ associations, development associations and sporting organisations.

"We are fortunate enough to live an extraordinarily beautiful county, so it is important that we respect it by ensuring it is clean and tidy for residents and visitors alike", commented Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Patricia McCarthy.

She continued, "National Spring Clean in its 10th year, it is a good opportunity to get even more on board – many hands make light work. There are many committed people out there who do clean ups week in week out and we are especially delighted that almost 70 groups have already registered an event for Spring Clean month."

According to Gerard Dollard, Director of Services, Environment and Emergency Directorate, "We are urging people who have never been involved in Spring Clean before to make a start this year. It could range from one or two neighbours getting together to a large team from a corporate multi-national business getting their sleeves rolled up."

"All you have to do is register your clean up, set a date and time and encourage as many people as possible to come along. Companies are often keen to demonstrate corporate social responsibility, and hooking up with a local group or school is a great way to develop links within the community", concluded Mr. Dollard.

Staff from Clare County Council’s Environment Section will be getting involved in a number of beach clean ups around the county while Area Office staff will provide assistance to community groups.

The Environment Section will also assisting groups and schools by providing them with a special pass to Waste Transfer Stations/Waste Management Facility at Scariff, Lisdeen and the Central Waste Management Facility at Ballyduff Beg in Inagh. Participating groups are reminded to take all possible steps to separate recyclables during clean-ups, and to bring them along to the nearest recycling centre or bottlebank. In addition, the council is providing litter pickers to groups subject to availability.

A wide range of groups, meanwhile, have received a letter from Clare County Council’s Environment Section inviting them to avail of a special pass to waste transfer stations to deposit waste from clean-ups. Interested groups are asked to return the completed form immediately notifying the Council of when they intend to use the waste transfer station.

Anyone interested in registering for the campaign can do so directly via the National Spring Clean website at www.nationalspringclean.org or by calling the National Spring Clean hotline on 01 4002219. Free clean-up kit sacks, gloves and lots of ideas and information for organising an event will be issued to all those participating.

Further information on the 10th National Spring Clean Campaign is also available from the Environment Section of Clare County Council on 065 6846331.

-ENDS-

Note to Editor:
- Betty Devanny, Administrative Officer, Environment Section, and/or Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, Clare County Council are available for interview. Please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com.

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)