Two Minute Litter Picking Boards to help in battle against waste
The latest idea in the ongoing war on litter – the Two Minute Litter Picking Board – was launched in Fore last week.
Cllr Liam McDaniel, cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, performed the official launch, and said: “I am honoured to be here in Fore to launch the new Two Minute Litter Picking Board scheme for Westmeath County Council.
“This is a great initiative to bring to Westmeath and it will be a great benefit to the local environment.”
Cllr McDaniel said the picker boards would improve the sense of community spirit and provide reminder to the public to take pride in their areas and keep them clean.
He added: “It is great to see the support from local community groups, gardaí, and Castlepollard Community College here.
“I wish you all the best of luck and well done to the local community groups and Tidy Towns groups for their ongoing work in keeping our towns looking so well.”
Cllr Frank McDermott was also present for the launch, and he said he was “delighted to join our cathaoirleach at the launch of the first Two Minute Litter Picker Board in Fore”.
“I was also delighted to have a group from Castlepollard Community College, a group from Collinstown Fore Men’s Shed, and of course from my own Fore Heritage and Amenity group. I appreciated the support from local Gardaí on the day. I support vigorously this new initiative.”
The Two Minute Litter Picking Board Scheme is a grant funded initiative funded under the annual Anti-Dumping Initiative Grant for 2023.
Five mobile litter picking boards will be placed at various locations around County Westmeath and members of the public are welcome to borrow litter pickers from the board and lift rubbish while out in the area.
The boards will be stocked with litter pickers and bags and will be located close to public litter bins so people can dispose of the litter collected.
The idea is you borrow a picker and return it to the litter board when you are finished.
Aisling Stafford, environmental awareness officer, Westmeath County Council, stated: “It is a pleasure to be here in Fore for the official launch of the Two Minute Litter Picking Boards.
“As we all know, litter can be an issue for communities throughout the county, and the aim of the scheme is to assist communities in tackling litter in their areas – I am hopeful that the boards will also be a visual reminder to people visiting our beautiful towns and amenities to leave no trace and dispose of their waste correctly.”
For more information email environment@westmeathcoco.ie or phone 044-933 2238.