2,500kg of litter removed
A LOCAL walking club helped to remove more than 2,500kgs of litter and illegal dumping from a scenic and protected stretch of the South Dublin uplands.
In March, the Bog Trotters Walking Club joined forces with the Pure Project to clean the Cunard Road, a unique landscape that attracts thousands of visitors annually.
It is also an area of environmental significance and is protected under the European Habitats Directive as a Special Area of Conservation.
However, despite the importance and beauty of this landscape, a 2,500kgs haul of litter and illegal dumping was collected during a one-day clean-up by volunteers.
Mattresses, furniture, chairs, construction and demolition debris and household waste was discovered, with these larger items removed by the Pure truck.
Volunteers from Bog Trotters also walked upland roads removing litter from grass verges.
Most of this litter consisted of cans, bottles, wrappers and plastic, predominantly located at viewing points and pull-ins.
Bog Trotters cleaning the stretch of the South Dublin uplands
According to Brendan Giffney from Bog Trotters Walking Club, which is based in South Dublin County: “We walk every weekend in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains.
“We are very fortunate and appreciative to have such beauty on our doorstep, however we are saddened and appalled by the amount of litter and dumping we come across on a regular basis.
“As a result of this we as a club have decided to adopt areas as part of the Pure Mile in the South Dublin mountains and remove as much litter and rubbish as possible.”
The massive clean-up was a joint effort by the Bog Trotters and the Pure Project, an initiative established in 2005 to combat illegal dumping in the Dublin/Wicklow uplands.
Commenting on the volume of rubbish collected during the recent clean-up of the Cunard Road, Ian Davis of Pure said: “The amount of litter and dumping encountered on the day was both disgusting and disheartening.
“However, the enthusiasm, energy, and commitment, demonstrated by the people involved in the clean-up was extremely uplifting.”
The Pure Project is inviting everyone to get involved in its Pure Mile initiative, which sees individuals, groups, clubs and communities adopt an area in the South Dublin uplands.
Pure supply all groups with signs, bags, hi-viz vests, litter pickers and gloves, with the Pure truck collecting all rubbish gathered.
Hundreds of miles of road, mountains, woodland, valleys, forestry and upland amenities have been adopted by Pure Mile volunteers including Glenasmole Road, Piperstown Road, Glassamucky Road, Castle Kelly Road, Ballymorefinn, Kilakee Car Park, the White Road and Military Road.
For further information on Pure visit HERE.
To report dumping in the South Dublin uplands call Lo-Call 1800 365 123.
