VIDEO: Call for volunteers to join Ireland’s largest coastal clean-up event

A call for volunteers to join Ireland’s largest coastal clean-up and ensure Ireland’s beaches are in ship shape has been made as part of An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme.

The call was echoed by rugby legend Shane Byrne who lined out at the launch of Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week. Clean Coasts Week 2014 takes place from May 9-18 and members of the public are invited to jump on board to make it the biggest yet.

Speaking at the launch Annabel FitzGerald, Coastal Programmes Manager, An Taisce said the Clean Coasts programme organises hundreds of clean-ups mobilising thousands of volunteers who remove considerable quantities of marine litter from Ireland’s environment.

"Raising public awareness is incredibly important when it comes to reducing marine litter and Clean Coasts’ initiatives such as Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week and #2minutebeachcleans are excellent for public participation and creating a sense of environmental responsibility.

"We are on course to make Clean Coasts Week 2014 Ireland’s largest coastal clean-up event ever with 100 coastal clean-ups already registered.” She added, “We are delighted to be working with the European Environment Agency this year and ask that all our Clean Coasts groups use the Marine LitterWatch app to record what they collect”.

Clean Coasts Week was launched at Portmarnock Beach by Minister Fergus O’Dowd TD Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government.

Speaking at the launch Minister O’Dowd said Ireland was famous internationally for its beautiful and scenic coastline, rich ecosystems and vibrant economic activity.

"It is enjoyed by both visitors and locals alike. Tourism initiatives such as the Wild Atlantic Way plan to highlight the unique beauty of this natural asset. The damage done by this winter’s storms, however, highlights its vulnerability. I would like to commend all who participate in this year’s Clean Coasts week as it is such an important and worthwhile endeavor to protect and enhance such a valuable resource for the current and future generations.”

Speaking at the launch, Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs & Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Hellenic Ireland said the many clean-up events that take place during Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week greatly benefit not only the local environment but also communities in which they take place.

"Clean-ups form a fantastic opportunity for thousands of volunteers to get out, be active and enjoy some fresh air and at the same time get to know their neighbours and make new friends. This social dimension of the Clean Coasts programme is one of its broader benefits and one of the reasons the groups are growing all the time. It’s really positive and we’re delighted to be part of it.”