No dirtier than our European neighbours

VISITORS to our cities and towns are unlikely to find us any dirtier than our European neighbours, according to the latest litter survey.

The research, carried out on behalf of anti-litter lobby IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter), found almost six in 10 of our towns are “clean to the European norms”. In other words, when it comes to flicking away cigarette butts, spitting up chewing gum and dumping takeaway wrappers and cans, we are no less irresponsible than many other Europeans.

The survey found an almost 10-fold improvement in the number of towns deemed “clean to European norms” compared to six years ago. Among them is Dublin City, with the notable exception of Tallaght. It remains one of the capital’s litter blackspots, and has sunk to the foot of the litter-league table from the lowly position last year of third from the bottom.