Volunteers in two Tipperary communities picked up enough litter to fill a full council lorry

Community volunteers picked up so much litter on roadsides in Cloneen and Drangan during their annual spring clean that it filled a council tipper lorry.

Cloneen Cllr Mark Fitzgerald told Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s monthly meeting it was annoying so much rubbish was discarded on the roads but it was great to see such engagement from the community in keeping their area clean.

Mullinahone Cllr Kevin O’Meara, meanwhile, reported that the new plastic bottle bin installed in Mullinahone was filled every three days with bottles. He asked could the council empty the bin as part of its run around.

“It keeps those bottles out of ditches. It’s great to see it working.”

Michael Moroney of Tipperary County Council’s Environment Section, said it was very heartening to see the level of take up by community groups in the spring clean campaign.

In relation to plastic bottles, he said the new national deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminum cans being introduced next year will open up funding avenues for community groups. Under this scheme you can get a deposit back for handing in empty bottles and cans to retailers.