Illegal dumping in beauty spots remains a “problem throughout Ireland”, a leading environmentalist has said.
In recent days, rubbish was left strewn all over a popular beach in Cork - much to the horror of the law abiding majority.
Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Protecting Uplands and Rural Environments (PURE) Manager Ian Davis described it as a “very depressing and very unfortunate” phenomenon.
“It’s actually completely unnecessary as well,” he said.
“I think there’s a problem throughout Ireland in relation to abandoned camping - which is what we call it.
“People going out to these beautiful scenic areas, the majority of these locations on beaches of course, or mountains in the uplands.
“People bring in a considerable amount of beer, tents, camping gear, chairs and barbecues and then they leave everything behind them.
“It is quite bizarre.”
A broken white bookshelf, a discarded toilet bowl and other rubbish was dumped on the edge of a forest path. Photo: Soeren Stache/dpa-Zentralbild/ZBMr Davis said it is also “unnecessary”, as it is not hard to take rubbish home with you.
“It’s a very simple process,” he said.
“You bring it in and you take it home.
“If you’re able to bring 24 cans full, why can’t you bring home 24 empty cans?
“It can be done.”
Progress
Despite this, Mr Davis believes change is possible and cites a “massive reduction” in illegal dumping in the Wicklow uplands in the past two decades thanks to the work of local groups.
“It’s very difficult when you’re dealing with something like abandoned camping,” he said.
“We work in the Wicklow-Dublin uplands with a number of organisations and I fully believe that you have to work with a multi-stakeholder approach.
“So, we work with the Department of the Environment, Wicklow County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire County Council, Caoilte… and the local people in these areas.”
In 2008, PURE removed 440 tonnes of waste in one year but by 2024 the figure had fallen to 120 tonnes - a 72% reduction.
Main image: Dumping in Galway.
