Leitrim volunteers sought for National Spring Clean 2023

Registrations are now open for the National Spring Clean 2023. Throughout the month of April, the National Spring Clean will encourage communities in Co Leitrim to tackle the problem of litter in local areas and to see the benefits of a litter-free environment.

National Spring Clean is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Local Authorities and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Mars Wrigley.

Over the past 24 years, the National Spring Clean has been focused on the message of the collective responsibility we share in tackling and preventing our national litter problem. By participating in organised clean-ups, groups and individuals of all ages come together to make a meaningful and positive contribution to their communities – to date this has resulted in the collection of almost 45,000 tonnes of litter across Ireland!

This year,  the National Spring Clean is also raising awareness about how the adoption of a circular economy model, will reduce our litter, and climate impact.

This is based on three principles: eliminating waste and pollution, keeping materials and products in use (through re-use and recycling), and protecting nature. This means that as we transition to a more circular economy, we’ll see less waste, less litter, and lower emissions, and thus, cleaner planet.

Mars Wrigley Ireland Corporate Affairs Manager, Nicola Forde added:  “National Spring Clean is about removing waste and litter to protect our biodiversity and create cleaner and healthier communities. We welcome initiatives of the Circular Economy Act such as the ban on single use plastics, the proposed ‘latte levy’ and the deposit return scheme which will help us to eliminate this waste at the first stage”

“Mars Wrigley Ireland is proud to support programmes like the National Spring Clean, which has played a significant role in reducing litter across the country over the past 24 years bringing people together with these invaluable community cleans ups. We’re also delighted to see this year’s campaign highlight the importance of the circular economy model, something which is a core element of our ‘sustainable in a generation’ mission. Our goal is to switch to 100% recyclable packaging by 2025. “

In 2022, 40 groups registered for the initiative in County Leitrim. With the support of people all around Ireland, the National Spring is hoping to have an even bigger campaign this year. To register to be part of Ireland’s largest anti-litter campaign, people can visit www.nationalspringclean.org .