Clean Coasts volunteers collect 630kg of litter across Carlow

MORE than 600kgs of litter was collected across County Carlow during World Ocean Day, new figures have revealed.

The month of June marks the celebration of Irish environmental programme, Clean Coasts’ 20th anniversary with volunteers taking part in clean-up events in Carlow and across the country.

Thursday, June 8 also marked the global celebration of World Ocean Day, an initiative that highlights the important role the ocean has for our life and the planet.

The significance of community spirit in Clean Coasts volunteers across Carlow this year and years prior cannot be understated and over the past two decades, groups nationwide have tirelessly worked towards the preservation and conservation of coastlines

In honour of the international day coinciding with their birth-month, Clean Coasts gifted a number of volunteers in Carlow with free clean-up kits. 

Statistics indicate the leading cause of marine litter is urban littering, making World Ocean Day a valuable opportunity for residents of non-coastal areas to address this issue at its root and prevent litter from entering waterways.

Over 100 volunteers in Carlow collected approximately 630kg of litter at nine registered clean-ups held by groups of all sizes, from individuals, to households, community groups, sport groups, Tidy towns, and more to prevent litter pollution at the source to ensure it does not end up in the ocean. 

While some of the Carlow-based groups opted to clean-up beaches in Wicklow and Wexford other Carlow volunteers have committed to cleaning up their local areas and river ways.

Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager commented: "Clean Coasts are thrilled to see so many groups and individuals stepping up across Ireland to help protect our ocean and celebrate Clean Coasts' 20th birthday and want to take this opportunity to thank and celebrate the efforts of all individuals and groups who have been protecting the Irish marine environment, whether they have been involved with the programme since 2003 or this is their first time joining the initiative."

There are more events from Clean Coasts taking place across Ireland throughout the month of June as part of the extended World Ocean Day call to action - details here.