Mr. John Gormley, Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has announced the publication of the 2008 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System report. The system provides important statistical data about the extent and composition of litter in Ireland.

The 2008 report reveals that:
* There has been an increase in litter free areas from 5.1 pc in 2007 to 6.6 pc in 2008;
* 62.6 pc of all areas surveyed were slightly littered, an increase of 4.1 pc on 2007 levels;
* Moderately and significantly polluted areas decreased by 4.5 pc and 0.8 pc respectively;
* There was also a decrease in grossly polluted areas from 0.7 pc in 2007 to 0.5 pc in 2008;
* Cigarette related litter (46.1 pc), food related litter (31.8 pc), packaging litter (11.3 pc), and sweet related litter (5.8 pc) were identified as the main constituents of litter nationally;
* Passing pedestrians (37.6 pc), passing motorists (17.6 pc), retail outlets (9.9 pc) and gathering points (8.1 pc) were identified as the main sources or causes of litter nationally.

Minister Gormley welcomed the publication of the results saying that, “The report shows significant increases in the percentage of areas surveyed, classified as either litter free or only slightly littered, with over 69 pc of areas surveyed falling into these two categories. This represents the highest level of cleanliness achieved since monitoring began. Taken with the corresponding decrease in moderately, significantly and grossly polluted areas, it is clear that the litter situation across the country continues to improve. We must all strive to ensure that this improvement continues through more challenging economic times. Everyone in society has a responsibility to participate in the ongoing war against litter. My Department remains committed to providing support to litter awareness raising initiatives in order to educate and create greater public awareness of the positive social and economic effects a litter free environment can help provide”.

Quelle: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

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