Coastal litter survey shows a clean sweep for Bundoran and Killybegs

The annual survey of coasts and inland waterways by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows the majority of areas attaining ‘clean’ status, among them Killybegs harbour and Bundoran beach.

An Taisce monitored 33 beaches, harbours, rivers and their immediate environs on behalf of IBAL in June and July. Seventeen were deemed ‘clean’, a 50% rise on the previous survey, while the number of areas branded ’littered’ fell from 11 to just three. Again, no area was placed in the lowest category “heavily littered”.

The An Taisce report for Bundoran stated: “The red brick paving, signage, wooden seating areas and 'olde' style street lamps etc created a very positive first impression of this beach environment. There was a lovely illustration of 'Seabirds - Bundoran Coastline'. The Dog Fouling signage is hard-hitting, reminding the public to 'Clean Up After Your Dog And Stop Diseases'.

"The '3 for the Sea, please pick up three pieces of plastic very time you visit the beach' is always welcome at a beach environment and the 'Beach Toy Library, Borrow - Play - Return' presented very well - appears to be well managed. Apart from an obvious cigarette butt presence, there was a virtual absence throughout a large area. There was evidence of a 'beach clean' with a mixture of adults and children. Perhaps there is room remind the public that 'cigarette butts are litter and the damage that can be done to the marine environment' - there have been cigarette butt campaigns at other beach environments.”

The An Taisce report for Killybegs stated: “Killybegs was looking very well, with previous construction works seemingly complete. The paving by the Pier Sub No. 255611 was exceptionally freshly presented, with the map / wooden seating areas / picnic tables further along in good condition. The Recycle Facility was in good order and there were some colourful planter boxes throughout. There was a virtual absence of litter, some minor food related items, and occasional fishing related materials e.g. fishing lines / nets / ropes, all of which were an even mix of both 'long-lie' and 'short-lie' items. Well done to all included in the management of this area.”

“This is by far the most favourable result we have seen in 8 years of coastal surveys,” says Conor Horgan of IBAL. “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. Legislative measures, such as the tethering of caps to plastic bottles and the Deposit Return Scheme, are contributing factors. It appears also that local authorities have upped their game in responding to busy periods at our beaches.”

Cigarette butts, sweet papers, fast food wrappers were the most commonly found litter items. The first coastal survey conducted since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme showed a 30% drop in the prevalence of plastic bottles and cans. Vapes were less prevalent than in previous studies, but there was no fall in coffee cup litter, which was found in 42% of the sites surveyed.

“The coffee cup levy seems to have died with the last Government, but these findings show that the case for it has not died,” commented Conor Horgan. “Coffee cups have become a permanent addition to the suite of litter items regularly found on our beaches. It’s not just their visual impact - many contain plastic, which threatens sea life and in turn our very survival. ‘Coffee cup-free’ coastal areas, along the lines of the Killarney model, would be very welcome.” In 2022, Killarney became the first town in Ireland to phase out single-use coffee cups.

According to National Geographic, about eight million tons of plastic waste escape into the oceans from coastal nations annually - the equivalent of five full rubbish bags for every foot of coastline in the world. Over 2,000 species of wildlife, some endangered, are affected by plastics.

Next month’s Big Beach Clean Up is an annual call to action organised by An Taisce’s Clean Coasts, which is expected to attract over 600 groups and 15,000 volunteers nationwide to our beaches over a single weekend, from September 19 to 21.