Tuesday, April 01, 2014

Spring Clean 2014 launched in Clare

Clare County Council and An Taisce are calling on the people of Clare to show how much they love where they live by organising or taking part in clean-ups in their local community.

All citizens are being invited to “Love Where You Live” and come together during the month of April to undertake clean ups in their local areas.  Individuals, sports clubs, Tidy Towns groups, businesses, schools, community development groups and Residents Associations are all encouraged to participate.

The National Spring Clean campaign, spearheaded by An Taisce, is now in its 16th year and has grown from strength to strength over the last number of years with over half a million people taking part and collecting more than 2,000 tonnes of litter. Last year, 175 local community groups in Clare participated in clean-ups.

The 2014 campaign was launched today in Miltown Malbay by the Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Joe Arkins, and An Taisce Spring Clean Ambassador, Sarah McGovern. Also in attendance were members of Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns, students from St. Josephs National School and more senior residents. The groups are planning a major clean-up on Saturday, 5th April with volunteers meeting between 12:30 and 2:30pm.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Joe Arkins commented: “It’s a wonderful thing to be able to say - you love where you live.  I am urging as many local groups, schools and businesses across the county to get their sleeves rolled up and get involved in the Spring Clean campaign in Clare.  The Easter break provides a perfect time for individuals, families and businesses to get together and identify areas that need attention.”

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Mary Coote-Ryan explained “I am urging all Ennis residents to come out and help on Saturday, 5 April between 10am and 2pm to tackle approach roads, green areas, footpaths, roads and streets in both residential areas and housing estates.  The meeting point is at Ennis Town Council Waterpark House on Drumbiggle Road, and all newcomers are most welcome. This event is being organised by Ennis Town Council, Ennis Tidy Towns and other voluntary organisations”.

The Environment Section of Clare County Council is assisting community groups and schools who register for the Spring Clean campaign by providing them with a free pass to Waste Transfer Stations/Waste Management Facility at Scariff and Lisdeen and the Central Waste Management Facility in Inagh. Participating groups are being reminded to separate recyclables during clean-ups where at all possible. Groups are reminded that while waste from public area clean-ups will be accepted with this pass, private household waste will not.

Details will be issued to groups who must first register on www.nationalspringclean.org or by calling the National Spring Clean hotline on (01) 4002219/4002220. Once registered, An Taisce will issue groups/individuals with a free clean up kit, which contains important information, posters, colour-coded refuse sacks for segregation of waste materials, protective gloves and tabards to keep participants safe and clean.

Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, with Clare County Council commented: “Volunteers all over the county are very keen to ensure their areas are looking their best, and we need more people to help them.  I am also encouraging people to share a favourite image of their local area by using the National Spring Clean Instagram feed.  Images shared with the hashtag #LoveWhereYouLive will be entered into An Taisce’s competition to win a relaxing break at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.”

“Last year, with more than 175 community groups participating in National Spring Clean in Clare, this shows a sense of pride in where we live.  If you haven’t gotten involved in clean-ups before, now is the time to show “you love where you live” and hook up with some family, friends and neighbours and organise your own community clean-up,” added Ms. Tarmey.

To register for National Spring Clean, simply visit the website at  www.nationalspringclean.org, or call the National Spring Clean hotline on (01) 4002219/4002220.  You can also contact the Environment Section of Clare County Council on 065 6846386 or 065 6846331.