The Mayor of County Cork Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea is encouraging everyone to get involved in An Taisce’s Spring Clean Campaign over the month of April.
Nearly 400 community and voluntary groups from County Cork have registered to take part in the Campaign which will see a vast improvement in the challenge that is roadside litter. Cork County Council staff will also be on hand to assist communities with the disposal of the litter collected during the Campaign. Rubbish bags, gloves, litter pickers and bibs have been delivered in recent weeks by An Taisce in preparation for the Spring Clean.
Commenting on the National Spring Clean Campaign, Mayor of Count Cork Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea said “Roadside litter is still a serious problem in our County and is a scourge to the many Tidy Town Committees, Development Associations and Community Council who are working tirelessly on a weekly basis to keep their towns and villages clean. This campaign which has grown in strength in recent years is an opportunity for communities to join together and work in partnership with Cork County Council in the battle against litter. It is also an ideal opportunity to meet your neighbours and enjoy the social aspect of the campaign”.
Pictured with the Mayor of Cork County Cllr. John Paul O’Shea are Maura Allen, Carrigaline Tidy Towns, Howard Crowdy, Carrigaline Tidy Towns, Roy Jolly, President of Carrigaline Lyons Club, Michael Collins, Foróige , Dr Mary Stack EARU, Sharon Corcoran Director Environment and students from Carrigaline Community School, Gael Choláiste Charraig Uí Leighin and Christ King Girls School, Douglas.
The National Spring Clean campaign is organised by An Taisce and funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government but supported at local level by Local Authorities who support the local clean up & litter disposal. Since the first annual litter and rubbish cleanup in 1998, National Spring Clean has seen communities from all parts of the country mark the onset of spring and the longer evenings with clean-up activities in their communities. Over the last 18 years, annual participation has grown to almost 4,000 community groups with 500,000 participants nationwide. Last year, community groups and individuals collected an estimated 500 tonnes of litter, with over 35% of this recycled and the balance safely disposed of.
Mayor O’ Shea added “It is also very welcoming to see many schools within the County registering this year. Our children are our future and educating them at a young age not to litter is very important for the environmental future of our County and they will in turn teach their parents/guardians of the importance of a clean environment”.
Mayor O’ Shea is encouraging everyone taking part in ‘#springclean16’ activities to tell everyone about it. Post photos using the #lovewhereyoulive and #springclean16 hashtags to your favourite social media platforms. You can tag the campaign on Twitter or Instagram using either the twitter handle @NationalSpringC, and on Instagram using the Campaign’s Instagram handle @nationalspringclean.
You can also post your photos on Cork County Council’s Facebook page and twitter @Corkcoco.
You can still register today with An Taisce National Spring Clean Manager, Environmental Education Unit, 5a Swift’s Alley, Francis Street, Dublin 8. T: +353 (0)1 4002219 W: www.nationalspringclean.org
