COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, September 12, 2011
QUESTION NO. 4
QUESTION: Councillor E. Higgins
REPLY:
The Litter Management Plan was approved by the Council at the July Meeting and the Implementation Plans will be presented in October to the Area Committees. The addition of 48 staff deployed to litter picking has made a considerable difference to litter blackspots as indeed have the efforts of community organisations in keeping their areas clean. However the areas with the most concentrated problems of litter have crews assigned on a constant basis and the area is littered again and again. As part of the Implementation Plan the possibility of assigning larger crews to areas on a rolling basis will be examined.
The Environmental Awareness Staff support and promote environmental education and awareness to schools, residents associations, community groups and businesses throughout the county. In addition to ongoing anti-litter campaigns, anti-litter awareness support, information, talks and workshops are also offered on an continuous basis to aforementioned groups. Some of the initiatives that are provided are as follows:
Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness grant Scheme
The Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti Awareness grant scheme has a particular focus on voluntary initiatives by community and environmental groups, and on involving schools and young people in anti-litter and anti-graffiti action. Projects/activities seek to promote greater public awareness and education in relation to litter and/or graffiti, and as far as possible, have a particular focus on involving schools and young people and on voluntary initiatives by community and environmental groups. This funding is provided every year subject to funding availability from the Department of Environment.
Councils Community Clean Up initiative
The Councils Community Clean Up initiative – A Community Clean up is a great way to show that people care about their local area and it actively encourages people not to drop litter and take pride in the area. Through this initiative South Dublin County Council can help local residents associations and community groups with their Community Clean up
Social Credit Scheme
The Social Credit Scheme, aims to reward community groups for undertaking pro-social works in their locality such as litter cleanups, maintenance of community gardens and removal of graffiti etc. The system provides practical assistance and advice to groups who undertake these actions and rewards them for their efforts. It aims to create social capital in local communities.
Beautiful South Dublin County Competition
The Beautiful South Dublin County Competition aims to make South Dublin County a better place to live and work in by:
- Acknowledging communities striving to improve their local areas year on year.
- Encouraging participants to become more aware of and responsible for their local environment.
- Encouraging the development of more sustainable communities
National Spring Clean - each year schools, community groups and residents associations are posted out application forms and newsletters to participate in the An Taisce’s National Spring Clean, Irelands largest anti litter event.
The litter and the law leaflet
The Responsible Dog Ownership Guide
Responsible Dog Ownership Stand - South Dublin County Council’s Responsible Dog Ownership pop-up stand is available on loan to schools, community centres, businesses and other venues to display. We will also provide Responsible Dog Ownership Leaflets and Poop Scoops while stocks last. Click here for more information.
Schools are provided with
· The Green Schools Programme - Green-Schools is an international environmental education programme, environmental management system and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment. One of the key success factors of the Green-Schools programme is that it is a themed programme. That is, schools undertaking the programme work through one theme at a time. The 1st theme of which is Litter & Waste
· Environmental Schools Anti Litter Competition - each year all schools are posted out application forms and invited to participate in the following the Environmental Schools Anti Litter Competition.
· Anti-litter talks
· Anti-litter workshops
· Recycled Christmas Decoration Competition
· Halloween and Christmas themed recycling make and do workshops
· Giant Waste Challenge Game on loan to schools
· Anti-litter Eco Week events
· Gum Litter taskforce
· The Green Times Newsletter – supplies up to date information on environmental education and awareness supports offered to schools. All the newsletters are also available to download from South Dublin County Councils website
As part of the 2012 programme the issue of disposable plastic bottles will be examined in the context of a campaign as they are the greatest generators of litter in parks, pitches and pathways in the county. In addition the Council will be working with local sports groups who rent pitches in order to provide a cleaner pitch facility for all