Cork City Council seeking independent review of report on littering

Findings do not reflect the 'hard work and dedication' of street sweeping crews

Cork City Council is undertaking an independent review of a damning litter report. Picture: Denis Minihane

Cork City Council is undertaking an independent review of a damning litter report, which it says does not reflect the "hard work and dedication" of street sweeping crews in the city.

The Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) report, published on January 6, was based on surveys of individual locations all around the country.

Naas was named as Ireland’s cleanest town while Dublin’s north inner city was bottom of the pile.

Areas such as Dublin City centre, Cork’s northside, and the south and centre of Limerick City were deemed to be “littered”. 

The report also described Cork's City centre as “moderately littered”.

Cork City Council said it welcomes the publication of the report and has “considered its contents”, but said it does not accurately reflect the “hard work and dedication” shown by many to curb littering.

Scoring method

The council has also raised questions about the scoring method used in the report, noting that the IBAL scoring of the City Centre consisted of 10 Grade A, 3 Grade B+, 7 Grade B, and 5 Grade C rankings, with no Grade D ranking reported.

In a statement, the council said it was pleased with the improvements in Mahon, paying tribute to its staff and the community stakeholders that have worked to bring about the progress.

The council said the classification of Cork City Centre as moderately littered undermines the work of the street sweeping crews, who are out seven days a week, from early mornings to late evenings.

However, City Hall officials say they are conscious that addressing the issue of littering and illegal dumping will require “a change in both mindset and behaviour as well as a level of personal responsibility” shown by all areas of the community.

The statement says it is committed to partnering with the city stakeholders in order to eradicate this type of anti-social behaviour.

It added that Cork City Council will be undertaking a review of the IBAL report findings in order to determine any further actions or new initiatives that are necessary to improve Cork City as a whole.