A Government of Ireland campaign ‘Love This Place, Leave No Trace’ has been launched to tackle the growing littering issue throughout the countryside.

The campaign is a joint initiative with Leave No Trace Ireland and aims to promote responsible outdoor recreation practices. It calls on the public to take care of the outdoors to ensure it is preserved for future generations.

Halt the scourge

A notable increase in littering has been reported throughout the country in recent weeks since the easing of COVID restrictions.

Leave No Trace Ireland CEO Maura Kiely said: “We need to take action now to halt the scourge of litter in our beautiful countryside. Littering is a threat to our fragile ecosystems and a moment of laziness can have long-term effects.”

Threat of fire

Disposable barbecues have been identified as a major problem, primarily as a source of forest fires and wildfires when discarded carelessly.

Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Wesley Atkinson said: “Not only do they pose a huge fire threat which divert emergency services, they endanger our wildlife, their habitat and place firefighting personnel at great risk to extinguish them.”

National ethic

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan has said a national ethic is required to protect the countryside following the increase in littering.

“Disturbance to vegetation, water pollution, wildlife, livestock and other people are all indicators of the need to develop a national ethic that protects both natural and cultural heritage.”

For more information and to get involved in the campaign, click here.

Read more

‘Concerning’ increase in dead animal dumping

DNA tracing to combat dead animal dumping along border

Mayo farmer finds suite of furniture dumped on roadside