Half of residents in Galway seaside area see litter but just 15pc help clean up, study shows
Litter conditions in Galway’s seaside Salthill have been identified as specific and seasonal by residents.
‘A Litter Study for a Cleaner Salthill’ that was conducted by NGO CuriOcean engaged with nearly 1,000 residents about litter behaviour in the area. The survey was carried out from July to September 2025 and included a range of public engagement, observations, and drone coverage.
The survey measured residents’ knowledge, attitude and perception, referred to as KAP in the report, on environmental management in Salthill. A total of 956 people responded.
Many respondents identified Salthill as a “Third Space” for them, with 62pc rating the area above 9 out of 10.
Some 52pc of people reported seeing litter all the time, with many noting a rise in litter levels as the season transitions to summer and visitors flock to the area.
The most cited locations for litter were beside bin areas and on the beach. The main types of waste identified were plastic bottles, cigarette butts and food packaging.
There were calls for an increase in the number of bins, including temporary ones, as well as for fines to be imposed on those who leave rubbish behind.
However, low participation in community clean-up events contrasts with the strength of opinion expressed in the survey.
Only 15pc of respondents said they had been involved in an environmental event to support the Salthill area in the past year.
Among those who had yet to take part in beach/area clean-ups, 326 respondents said they wanted to support their area in a “hands-on” way, identifying a “specific, actionable target group,” the report said.
“Having these respondents actively take part in environmental initiatives and volunteering could triple the current active volunteer base.”
The report recommended a focus on youth groups through programmes, workshops and extensive signage. Plans also include involving young people in the design of behavioural signage.
In addition, temporary seasonal measures such as bin boxes and toy collection boxes were recommended.
In conclusion, the study found that littering in Salthill is seasonal and structured, occurring in specific areas.
Environmental Awareness Officer for Galway City Council, Fergal Cushen said: “It is very important for the council to work alongside the public in coming up with litter solutions. Littering, especially at peak periods with high football, is a complex problem with many variables.”
Galway City Council has committed to take on the recommendations and implement workshops on “realistic litter measures” in Salthill.
The study was unveiled at a community event at the Galway Bay Hotel on Friday, March 27.