An Taisce - National Spring Clean

Happy October! 🍂

♻️ Did you know that October is National Reuse Month in Ireland? The campaign encourages us to keep our belongings in use for as long as possible through reuse, borrowing and repair. What will you reuse this month?

My Waste Ireland

29th September marks the 🌍

Preventing food waste begins with buying, preparing and serving only what we need. However, there is another side to the issue: food that is discarded outdoors becomes litter.

Fruit peels, bread and other scraps may be biodegradable, but they do not disappear immediately. Leaving food behind can attract animals, interfere with their natural feeding habits and encourage them towards roads or busy public spaces. Food litter is also frequently accompanied by wrappers, containers and cutlery that can remain in the environment for far longer.

💚 So, here's what to do:

🍎 Prevent avoidable food waste
🌱 Compost suitable scraps where possible
🟤 Use your food-waste bin
🏠 Take everything home when visiting outdoor spaces

⚠️ Does litter stay where it's dropped? Short answer: No! ⚠️

Wind and rain can carry litter through drains and waterways, ultimately ending up in our rivers, causing further damage to all marine environments. 🌊

Stop litter at its source - bin it or take it home. 🚯

Happy ! 🩵

A small piece of litter can now carry an even more significant cost. 🚯

Since 1st September 2026, Ireland’s fixed fine for littering has increased from €150 to €250.

From cigarette butts and food wrappers to larger discarded items, litter can harm wildlife, pollute our communities and travel through drains and waterways into the wider environment.

Avoid the fine by finding a public bin or bringing your litter home with you. 💚



Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

THANK YOU to the Autumn Cleaners who came out for ! 🌊

As you do all year round, you showed up for the environment once again. Your actions make a HUGE difference. Seeing the pictures always makes us and our colleagues at Clean Coasts immensely proud. 🥲

Thanks for the snaps, Tullamore Tidy Towns Association and Rush Tidy Towns!

❓Did you know a litter clean-up can do far more than merely clean a place?

The information recorded can actually influence policy - this is why it's imperative to buddy up and fill out your Marine Litter Data Cards during . Let's be the change! 🙌🌊

Clean Coasts

It's happening... Our sister programme, Clean Coasts, is busy gearing up for the this weekend! Are you excited? 🙌

Did you know that over 40 years, Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup volunteers have removed more than 439 million pieces of litter worldwide?

Almost 19.7 million people across 166 countries have contributed. Their work has not only removed litter but produced data used in research and policy. 👩‍🔬

🎵 An Electric Picnic success story and we LOVE to see it! 🎆

A wonderful example of how convenient collection points and public participation can keep valuable materials out of the litter stream.

Electric Picnic

Today is the . 🌍

When we think about waste pollution, we often picture litter lying on roadsides, in parks or around waterways. However, it's important to remember that burning waste does not make the problem disappear. It simply moves some of that pollution into the air. 🔥

Backyard burning of waste is illegal in Ireland & can release harmful chemicals, such as toxic dioxins. Smoke can affect the person burning the waste as well as children, neighbours & the surrounding environment.

The safest option:
- Prevent waste where it's possible,
- Separate it correctly,
- & use an authorised waste collection or facility.

Clean communities need clean ground & clean air. Better for everyone. 🙌

Happy September, Autumn Cleaners! 🍂 Why does litter last so long? Well, it's more complicated than we may have thought.

Time to investigate! ➡️