The first national litter survey of 2024 by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Waterford City and Ballybeg both improving to just outside the Top 10 in the ranking of 40 towns and cities.
Waterford is again the country’s cleanest city. The study reveals an overall improvement in litter levels, and a decrease in cans and plastic bottles on our streets on foot of the Deposit Return Scheme.
The An Taisce report for Ballybeg stated: “Ballybeg has scored exceptionally well this time around – well done to all concerned. With seven top ranking sites there are some which deserve a mention, particularly the Bring Facility at Tesco Ballybeg as this has regularly been a heavily littered site in previous surveys.
“All approach roads presented well. The residential areas of Ardmore Terrace and Clonard Park were both much better than previous IBAL surveys – this time around they just missed the top litter grade.
“By far the most heavily littered site was Ballybeg Stores / Ballybeg Pizza and Environs. Development was taking place at the adjoining site (formerly Ryan’s) – perhaps this will breathe some new life into what was a heavily littered area.”
The An Taisce report for Waterford City stated: “Again our cleanest city, Waterford City has actually improved on its previously strong showings, with only one heavily littered site, beside Vee Car Park.
“It was particularly encouraging to see notable improvements at a couple of sites, for example the ‘Bring Facility’ at Tesco Ardkeen – very much deserving of the top litter grade, and the Miscellaneous Woodpecker Site was much improved but clearly requires constant monitoring.
“Some sites deserve special mention, particularly with regards to the overall presentation and maintenance of same: Viking Triangle / Museum Quarter was exceptionally good.
“Broad Street/Barronstrand Street was attractively laid out with lovely seating, trees providing coverage for those looking for a place to sit in the shade and very good street furniture. Works continue apace at the beautiful People’s Park – it was excellent with regards to litter.”
The residential area of Bowefield – Riverpark was “spotless” and substantial works have taken place along Grattan Quay and the approach from the Greenway meaning that “the result is a lovely, welcoming route into the city.”
It was noted that the relic of ‘Waterford Crystal’ along Cork Road has finally been addressed, and construction is underway with SETU signage indicating plans for the future.
The study, conducted by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL, showed a healthy rise in towns reaching the upper tier of cleanliness – ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ – and a fall of 35pc in the number of towns branded ‘littered’.
Naas regained the top position it lost last year, ahead of Monaghan and new entrant Blanchardstown. Ballybane in Galway slipped to bottom of the rankings.
“Our study paints a much better picture than a few years ago, with levels of cleanliness definitely rising,” said IBAL’s Conor Horgan. “Once again, no town was judged to be either a ‘litter blackspot’ or ‘heavily littered’ – that’s real progress.”
City areas fared well, with notable improvements in Limerick City, Mahon in Cork, Tallaght and North Dublin Inner City. Limerick South (Galvone) recorded its best ever result. Dublin City Centre, however, showed a fall in cleanliness on last year.
