Record number of participants take part in Longford's Spring Clean

Over 40 TidyTowns and community groups in County Longford organised events to enhance the county’s appearance as part of An Taisce's National Spring Clean month in April.

Ireland’s nationwide anti-litter campaign urges everyone to play their part in tackling Ireland’s litter problem and fight climate change.

This record participation in County Longford is a testament to the local volunteers’ unwavering pride, commitment, and dedication to their local environment.

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Many TidyTowns and Community Groups are supported in their endeavours by Longford County Council’s Environment Team.

Last year, 5,430 groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the country, collecting an estimated 2,725 tonnes of litter.

35% of all waste collected during the 2024 National Spring Clean month was recycled, as the campaign continues to highlight the importance of a circular economy and waste reduction.

Over the past 26 years, the campaign has seen thousands of participants of all ages volunteer their time, with an estimated 50,000 tonnes of litter removed from communities.

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Supporting this effort is the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which was launched in February 2024. In February this year, the DRS reached a milestone of 1 billion returned containers.

Every piece of litter collected is a step towards a cleaner, greener future. Citizens are encouraged to take personal action by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding single-use plastics.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Mark Casey said, “The incredible participation in the An Taisce National Spring Clean event throughout County Longford has been truly inspiring. It is heartwarming to witness our community come together with such enthusiasm and dedication to improve our local environment.”

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, “Every year, local volunteers continue to demonstrate the fantastic community spirit and desire to make a positive contribution to the county’s local environment. I extend my thanks to the volunteers for their immense contribution. It is fantastic to see the great sense of community spirit again and pride of place in our county.”