Almost 200 Kildare groups contributed to the National Spring Clean 2023 campaign

Nearly 200 Kildare groups took part in the latest National Spring Clean campaign.

Over 4,000 volunteers joined Spring Clean 23 in County Kildare removing an estimated 22 tonnes of litter. 

Clean-ups took place in various locations throughout the county, such as Milltown, Leixlip, Newbridge, and many more. 

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said about the initiative:  "An Taisce’s National Spring Clean continues to showcase the dedication of volunteers all over the country.

"The commitment of volunteers in continuing to organise local clean-ups each year is a testament to the spirit in Irish communities and I would urge as many people as possible to get involved in the campaign."

He continued: "My Department will continue to support the campaign and An Taisce, whose role in organising this successful campaign each year, deserves to be acknowledged.

"I look forward to the many events that will be held all over the country in the coming months."

 National Spring Clean, manager, Emlyn Cullen, added:  "This was one of our biggest years ever with regards people taking part.

"We can’t thank the volunteers enough for giving up their time and energy to make Ireland a cleaner, greener country this April. Huge credit also goes to the Local Authorities who work hard during the month to collect the full bags after events.

"Also I’d like to thank our funders, the Dept. of Environment, Climate and Communications and sponsors, Mars Wrigley Ireland."

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Milltown Tidy Towns joined up with Virgin Media’s weatherman and documentary presenter Deric Hartigan to do a National Spring Clean of the area that was televised on April 21 last while he reported the weather as well as on Ireland AM where he interviewed members of Milltown Tidy Towns.  

During the National Spring Clean Campaign, Newbridge Tidy Towns carried out numerous clean-ups with volunteers from their group as well as external volunteer groups.

One of these groups was the students at St Patrick's National School in Newbridge joined Newbridge Tidy Towns for a clean-up event when they were learning about when they were learning about Zero Waste in Geography and Science classes. 

The National Spring Clean is Ireland’s official anti-litter campaign and over the past 24 years, the initiative has been highlighted the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem. 

Throughout the month of April, the National Spring Clean encouraged communities from across Ireland to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment.  

For 2023,  the aim for National Spring Clean was also to raise awareness about how the adoption of a circular economy model, will reduce our litter, and climate impact, meaning that as we transition to a more circular economy, we’ll see less waste, less litter, and lower emissions, and thus, cleaner planet. 

Organisers behind the initiative said: "The principles of a circular economy have always been central to the ethos of National Spring Clean for the past 24 years.

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"This year, some 35 per cent 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. "

The organisers added that although April is coming to an end, there are plenty of campaigns and activities that the National Spring Clean run and endorse that people can get involved in.

They said: "A few of these include:  

•    When you are out for a walk, visiting a park or a beach, do a quick #2MinuteStreetClean or a #2MinuteBeachClean   

•     Avoid single-use plastic when possible, by choosing more sustainable alternatives, such as reusable bottles and coffee cups, cotton bags, metal straws, etc…   

•     Don’t litter and if a bin is overflowing, keep your waste until you find a waste to dispose of it properly   

•     If you can’t reduce or reuse, recycle; know where and how to recycle all types of waste.   

•     Recent statistics show that, in Ireland, discarded cigarette butts make up for 60% of litter on the streets. Always bin your butt!    

•    Make sure to bin your chewing gum when you’re done to avoid a €150 gum littering fine and keep our streets clean! " 

Over the past 24 years, through the National Spring Clean, around 95,000 clean-ups have been organised , 47,550 tonnes of litter have been removed, and around 12.5 million hours of work have been put in by volunteers .