'Most favourable result in eight years' - majority of Irish beaches declared 'clean' in latest survey

"An Taisce conducted the annual survey on behalf of business interest group Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) which found that 17 of the 33 beaches, harbours and rivers monitored were considered suitable for the status. This represents a 50pc increase in the number since last year's survey. This is by far the most favourable result we have seen in eight years Waterways classified as "littered" dropped from 11 last year to three this year, with cigarette butts, sweet papers and fast food wrappers the most commonly detected litter items."

""This is by far the most favourable result we have seen in eight years of coastal surveys," Conor Horgan of Ibal said. "The Trojan and ever-expanding work of Clean Coasts groups and other volunteers is instrumental in this, as is the investment by councils in facilities around our beaches." The findings were made in spite of large numbers descending upon Ireland's beaches during the frequently warm weather this summer."

"This survey was the first one since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme - a system which charges consumers a small additional fee on their purchase of plastic bottles and aluminium cans that can be claimed back when the bottle or can is recycled. Its benefit manifested in a 30pc drop in plastic bottle and can litter, while vapes were less prevalent than in previous studies."

An Taisce's annual coastal monitoring for Irish Business Against Litter (Ibal) rated 17 of 33 beaches, harbours and rivers as suitable, a 50% increase from last year. Waterways classified as "littered" fell from 11 to three, with cigarette butts, sweet papers and fast-food wrappers the most common litter items. Clean sites included Brittas Bay, Curracloe, Bundoran, Killiney, Strandhill and Tramore; littered sites included Dingle Harbour, Dog's Bay and White Bay Beach. Volunteer Clean Coasts groups and council investment were credited for improvements. The Deposit Return Scheme coincided with a 30% drop in plastic bottle and can litter and fewer vapes.

Read at Irish Independent