From www.castlebar.ie Environment Industrial estates under fire as litter levels rise
Potential investors in Ireland are being met with a ‘landscape of litter’ in many areas, according to the largest study of litter levels taken in this country. The survey for Irish Business against Litter (IBAL) revealed one quarter of all industrial estates reviewed were ‘litter blackspots’. Carlow emerged as the cleanest town in Ireland, with Navan the dirtiest. The survey is the 1 st round of the 2005 IBAL Anti Litter League, which is supported by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. “We’re showing not our best face, but a dirty face, to the commercial interests which are vital to our economy,” commented IBAL Chairman Dr Tom Cavanagh. “High-tech overseas investors expect industrial estates to be pristine, not focal points for widespread litter and dumping.” “Even the IDA estates are not immune from the blight of litter. And this at a time where competition from other countries for foreign direct investment was never as intense.” Lack of litter bins, dumping and general neglect were cited as causes of the poor showing of estates. 23% of the 27 Estates examined by an Taisce were litter blackspots, compared to 9% of sites overall. The blackspots included IDA estates in Enniscorthy and Gorey, parts of which were described as ‘riddled with litter’, ‘hugely neglected’ and ‘treated with total disregard’. The survey founded over half of recycling centres examined were heavily littered. IBAL believes resistance to Pay be Weight systems is leading to dumping at facilities which are ill-equipped to deal with the added rubbish. “From a positive perspective, Pay by Weight means more people are using these facilities,” comments Dr Cavanagh. “Local authorities need to rethink how they are managing them. That said, there is a worrying increase in local businesses availing of recycling centres which are intended for private consumers.” The survey of 57 towns of over 6,000 inhabitants showed 12 areas achieved ‘litter–free’ status, meaning they are deemed clean to European norms. By contrast, over one quarter of all towns were classed as ‘litter blackspots’. Litter levels worsened by 7% to an average of 68. Cities continue to show improvements, especially Cork City and Dublin City Centre, which yielded its best result since being included in the League. “While we remain some way short of our goal of 80 nationwide, we have progressed from a starting point of just 55,” continued Dr Cavanagh. “And there is room for optimism. The rise in litter levels is due in part to 27 towns being surveyed for the very first time. We can expect these towns to raise their performance for the next round of results.” IBAL attributes Carlow’s No.1 position to the town’s efforts in organising its own ‘Mini League’, whereby local areas in the town are pitted against each other on a weekly basis, with the results printed in the local papers. “Driven by the local authority, this engenders a real spirit of pride in the locality which is often hard to attain in a large town,” he commented. “Authorities struggling with litter problems in larger areas should look to this model.” IBAL Anti litter League 2005 - Round 1
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