Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Cllr Liam Carroll with CEO Liam Conneally pictured with representatives of Galway County Council, Oranmore and Maree CE Scheme, Kinvara Tidy Towns, Oranmore Tidy Towns, and pupils from Oranmore Boys NS and Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore pictured at the launch of the Galway County Council Anti-Litter Ambassador programme in Oranmore, County Galway. Photo Mike Shaughnessy.
958 waste complaints were received by Galway County Council last year.
A new environmental initiative aimed at fostering public involvement in the fight against litter has been announced in Galway.
Launched in Oranmore on Monday, the Galway County Council Anti-Litter Ambassador Programme presents a pro-active and non-confrontational way for individuals, groups, communities and businesses to declare their support for a litter-free county.
Under the new initiative, Anti-Litter Ambassadors will sign a pledge committing not to litter and to participating in the numerous anti-litter initiatives supported by Galway County Council, including National Spring Clean, the gum litter campaign, dog fouling campaign and the Picker Pals programme.
Last year, 958 waste complaints were received by Galway County Council, each of which were investigated by the Environment section’s 15 Community Wardens. 83 fines were issued during 2023, up 24% on 2022, while 36 litter and waste cases were referred to Law Agents during the year.
Cllr. Liam Carroll (FG), Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway said, “Litter takes from the beauty of our county and the simple solution to the problem is not to litter. The vast majority of people who live in and visit Galway are hugely responsible when to comes to litter management, but that does not mean that the war on litter is won. By becoming an Anti-Litter Ambassador, those who sign the pledge will be declaring that they are part of the solution”.
He added, “The Anti-Litter Ambassador programme is all about getting people to lead by example so that others may follow. This new scheme presents an opportunity for the public to declare their support for a litter-free County Galway and to showcase the pride they have in their local community responsibility”.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council said, “I want to acknowledge the wonderful work done by so many in our County to help keep Galway Litter-Free. We look forward to seeing people from all walks of life and from communities the length and breadth of County Galway coming together in support of this important initiative, which is the latest in a series of anti-litter schemes supported by Galway County Council”.
Eileen Ruane, Director of Services, Environment commented, “With the support of Elected Members, we are delighted to deliver this Anti-Litter Ambassador scheme and we encourage everyone to support it as higher participation will lead to a greater impact in our county”.
Galway County Council will be rolling out public awareness campaigns in the coming months to promote the Anti-Ambassador programme including visits by staff of the local authority’s Environment section to primary schools across the county.
Visit www.galway.ie/en for more on how to become Anti-Litter Ambassador or contact the Environment section of Galway County Council on 091-509510 or environment@galwaycoco.ie for more information.
