'Improved' litter situation in North Inner City welcomed but still 'more to do'
Improvements in litter levels in the North Inner City have been welcomed by a local councillor who said there’s been “a lot done,” but “more to do.”
Independent Councillor Nail Ring for Dublin North Inner City said the latest Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey results represent a step in the right direction for his area. While the North Inner City still ranks at the bottom of the list and stands as Dublin’s dirtiest area , its “much improved” performance highlights that the streets are “getting cleaner.”
“For too long, our area was rock bottom of the litter league. I personally remember when IBAL called the North Inner City a ‘litter blackspot’ and described our streets as being in a ‘terrible state’ with ‘long-term neglect,’” Cllr Ring said.
“Being at the foot of the rankings year after year had a deeply negative impact on the local community. It certainly did not reflect the pride we have in our area and it was disheartening for residents to see their area portrayed in that negative way.”
Cllr Ring praised Dublin City Council ’s recent focus on cleaning up the city as their new three pillar waste strategy focuses on operational enhancements, enforcement and regulation changes, and littler awareness and prevention campaigns.
“The recruitment of 100 additional waste management staff and putting more boots on the ground with new litter wardens means that we are seeing the direct impact of proper investment. We aren't at the finish line yet, but it is encouraging that the Dublin City Council litter strategy is beginning to work and show positive results in the city centre in particular.
“The improvement in the North Inner City isn't an accident. It is the result of a deliberate move toward 24-hour cleaning and tougher enforcement. As a councillor representing the North Inner I will continue to push for these resources to ensure our cleaner streets become a source of pride for all residents.”
Sligo earned the top spot as Ireland’s cleanest area in IBAL survey. Dun Laoghaire and the Dublin Airport Environs were both up to scratch to European norms, with the city centre being classified as “moderately littered.” However, it was Ballymun and the North Inner City that were classified as “littered” areas.
While the overall city centre may be littered, main shopping areas like Grafton St, O’Connell St, and Henry St earned the top litter grade and the entire city has improved in recent years. Dublin City Council have welcomed these results as an example that their three pillar waste strategy is working.
With extra staff, expanded services, new vehicles, and the installation of waste compactors, this conscious effort to tackle rubbish problems in the city comes as part of the council’s ‘No More Rubbish Excuses’ campaign. This also saw the appointment of six new litter wardens and increased capacity in the night-time washing team.
The success of waste compactors on St Stephens Green and Fownes St have seen a major reduction in plastic bags outside commercial properties. This is expected to be expanded in the coming weeks at two sites on the northside of the city-centre.
Executive Manager for Dublin City Council Derek Kelly said they are pleased with IBAL results but “we still have work to do in the city.” “Our staff have been working very hard on our new waste strategy and it’s great to see their efforts are clearly having the desired effect,” he said.
“However, I would also like to point out that the IBAL survey doesn’t compare like with like. It’s simply unfair to imagine that you can compare a capital city like Dublin which has a population of half a million people and gets millions of visitors each year, to regional cities and towns across the country.”
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