LAN 39 No 6 print:Layout 1
03/06/2021
20:32
Page 30
€5 million additional funding for litter prevention and cleaning as Ireland prepares for an outdoor summer •
2020 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System results show cigarette litter, packaging litter, food-related litter and plastic litter to be the main causes of litter in our communities
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has announced €5 million in additional funding for litter infrastructure and awareness campaigns to encourage people to dispose of their rubbish thoughtfully. As the economy re-opens, and Ireland prepares for an outdoor summer, we will enjoy a much higher level of outdoor dining and socialising, and local authorities have had to increase their spending on recycling and litter facilities. Minister Ryan said: "I am providing this extra funding to support local authorities so we can all enjoy an outdoor summer in a pleasant environment. The funding will add more recycling and litter facilities to meet increased demand – but itʼs also up to all of us to clean up our act when it comes to litter, and make a conscious effort to leave no trace." The Minister has sought an immediate mapping of bin infrastructure to identify optimum placement of new bins and to pin point where smart solar-compacting bins could be feasible. Minister Ryan will also seek to harmonise the local authority response to the litter issue, to centralise procurement of materials, so that quality litter pickers, gloves, dog litter bags and bins are available. The aim will be to reduce costs, reduce duplication of effort and to harmonise the quality of product. As well as the €5 million additional funding to the Local Authorities for litter infrastructure, the Minister today confirmed that a further €3 million in funding will be provided to local authorities in support of the 2021 AntiDumping Initiative which, since its inception in 2017, has supported the delivery of over 300 projects, many involving local community groups and resulted in the removal of over 10,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste from our landscape.
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