Volunteers tackle littering and illegal dumping in South Dublin uplands

Volunteers tackle littering and illegal dumping in South Dublin uplands

By Mary Dennehy

VOLUNTEERS once again gathered to tackle the ongoing problem of illegal dumping in the South Dublin uplands, braving the unsettled mountain weather to protect the landscape and its wildlife.

Last Saturday, August 22, another large-scale Pure Mile Clean-up took to the Dublin Uplands, sweeping in around Piperstown, Cunard, Castle Kelly and Glenasmole.

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Volunteers at the clean up Photos by Mick Kelly, PURE

Volunteers removed a considerable amount of litter and illegal dumping, filling more than 30 bags with waste.

The Pure Truck was also on hand for the removal of larger items, which included tyres, electrical applicances, furniture and mattresses.

Thousands of volunteers are now participating in the Pure Mile Project across the Dublin and Wicklow uplands, with more than 600 miles of roads, mountains, woodlands and valleys being adopted by community-based, Pure Mile clean-up groups.

A member of the Glenasmole Pure Mile group, Firhouse-Bohernabreena councillor Alan Edge said: ‘I’m lucky enough to represent the beautiful Glenasmole Valley which is also my home and sadly, littering and illegal dumping are by far the most common local issues I deal with week in, week out.

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Cleaning up in Glenasmole with the sheep looking on

“It’s hard to imagine what goes through the minds of people who abuse and pollute such a beautiful and pristine natural environment.

“However, we’ve a great community here and people from near and far are always ready to lend a hand.”

Cllr Edge, who was part of last weekend’s sweep, added: “On Saturday’s clean-up, eager locals were joined by selfless volunteers from the Litter Mugs and Dodder Action all prepared to give of their free time and brave the downpours to help undo the damage of a selfish few.

“I hope that through supporting the Trojan work of The Pure Mile, we can keep our unique little part of the world clean and beautiful and get the message out there that littering and dumping simply won’t be tolerated.”

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Mary and Donie Anderson and dog Jessie with Cllr Alan Edge remove a battery pack that was dumped

Pure is a partnership project, which incorporates statutory and non-statutory organisations including South Dublin County Council, Wicklow County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Coillte National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Wicklow Uplands Council.

The project, which is funded by the Department of Communications, Clinate Action and Environment, was established in 2006 to combat illegal dumping and fly-tipping in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands.

Ian Davis, Pure Manager, said: ‘I would like to thank all of the Pure Mile Groups who have assisted Pure this year in organising litter-picks and clean-ups of the South Dublin Uplands, which is a unique landscape and environment, [which] attracts thousands of visitors annually.

“The recent Glenasmole Pure Mile clean-up makes a huge difference to the appearance of the South Dublin Uplands and without the assistance of these volunteers we would never be able to organise litter-picking of the roads and environment.”

Pure provide all Pure Mile groups with signage, Pure Mile bags, gloves, litter pickers and Pure Mile high-vis vests, and remove all of the rubbish collected by the groups.

Anyone interested in the Pure Mile Project can email info@pureproject.ie or visit www.pureproject.ie.

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