Kilkenny has once again demonstrated its commitment to cleanliness and environmental awareness and sustainability, ranking 4th out of 40 towns and cities surveyed in the latest IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter) report. This outstanding achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Kilkenny County Council’s City Area Office, members of the local community, Keep Kilkenny Beautiful and local businesses.
The first national litter survey by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) since the introduction of the Government’s Deposit Return Scheme reveals a fall in cans and plastic bottles on our streets contributing to an overall improvement in litter levels. There was a rise in the number of sites deemed clean across the country, with a significant fall in those judged to be ‘heavily littered’.
The study, conducted by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL, showed a healthy rise in towns reaching the upper tier of cleanliness – ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ with Kilkenny retaining its position as 4th out of 40 cities.
According to the report, many of Kilkenny’s sites have achieved top grades, showcasing the City’s pride in its appearance. Some notable mentions include:
Kilkenny Train Station (Exterior and Interior), received a Grade A for its exceptional cleanliness and presentation.
The “Skate Park” which could have proved a problematic area based on last year’s survey, showed a virtual absence of litter.
Parliament Street, was described as an “exceptionally freshly presented shopping street” with attractive paving and no litter issues.
The Bring Facility at St Canice’s, has significantly improved from previous surveys, with no items of litter or misuse of recycling bins.
The R712 – Paulstown Approach Road, created a “very positive first impression” with its well-maintained and litter-free environment.
The area of the Riverbank, with the Pedestrian Bridge, received a Grade A for its lovely riverside environment and recent grass cutting.
“I am delighted to see Kilkenny ranking so highly in this survey,” said Cllr. Michael McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council. “It’s a reflection of our community’s pride in their environment and their commitment to sustainability. We will continue to work together to maintain this high standard and make Kilkenny an even more attractive place to live, work, and visit.”
“We are thrilled with these results,” said Mags Whelan, Environmental Awareness Officer at Kilkenny County Council. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our council staff, local businesses, and residents who have come together to keep our City clean and beautiful. We are also incredibly fortunate to have a very active and committed Tidy Towns Group in “Keep Kilkenny Beautiful” here in the City who work closely with Kilkenny County Council’s City Area Office to make the City and it’s environs an attractive and clean place to be.”
There was a near-30% fall in the prevalence of can-related litter since the previous survey. While plastic bottles were also less common than in any past survey, they remain the third most prevalent form of litter on our streets.
“It’s early days and we’re still seeing too many plastic bottles on our streets, but we can expect further improvement as people become accustomed to the Deposit Return Scheme and the legacy non-returnable items are flushed out of the system. Ultimately, we should see can and plastic bottle litter disappear entirely.” -said Mags Whelan, Environmental Awareness Officer, Kilkenny County Council.
The IBAL report highlights Kilkenny’s cleanliness as exceeding European norms, making it an attractive destination for tourists and locals alike.
