ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
National Spring Clean is Ireland’s most popular, well recognized and successful anti-litter initiative. Taking place during the whole month of April and now in its 21st year, the campaign encourages every sector of society to actively participate and take responsibility for litter, by actually conducting clean ups in their own local environment. National Spring Clean traditionally takes place throughout the month of April.
National Spring Clean has been operated by An Taisce since 1999 in partnership with the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Local Authorities and is sponsored by the Wrigley Company Ltd. The size and scale of National Spring Clean has grown steadily and significantly over the years.
OUR OBJECTIVES
- Encourage clean-ups throughout the whole month of April
- Galvanise the practices of recycling and re-use where possible
- Increase the number of events and participants
- Promote personal responsibility for litter
- Heighten awareness of litter and waste issues
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED
In 1999, 1,732 clean-up events were registered with An Taisce and an estimated 155,000 people took part in these events.
In 2019, 5,448 groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the country – Over 500,000 volunteers have participated in the Spring Clean 2019 and collected an estimated 3,000 tonnes of litter, of which 35% has been recycled.
The effort and enthusiasm of the National Spring Clean volunteers has ensured the campaign’s real triumph and success. As National Spring Clean has become a fixed date on the school and community calendar, this partnership can hopefully look forward to an even greater success for many years to come.