Bundoran and Killybegs "moderately littered" but IBAL acknowledge good points as well

Killybegs and Bundoran have been deemed  ‘moderately littered’ in the national IBAL survey released today, but the study shows litter ‘blackspots’ are disappearing around our coasts and there were encouraging words for both Donegal towns, but with the usual concerns as well as the rise of vaping rubbish. 

In the case of Killybegs they "noted that the overall presentation of Killybegs harbour and immediate environs has certainly improved and continues apace with two further building projects underway", while the "overall impression at Bundoran was of an area which was generally well managed with the tarmacked area of the car park and promenade generally quite clean".

The annual survey of coasts and inland waterways by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Killybegs and Bundoran beach both failing to improve on last year’s ‘moderately littered’ status.

The study of 33 areas nationwide revealed our most littered areas to have cleaned up but the majority of beaches falling short of clean status, despite the unsettled summer meaning lower visitor numbers.    

Beaches, harbours, rivers and their immediate environs were monitored by An Taisce in June and July. While there was a 50% rise in clean sites overall, the survey again found our coastal areas to be more littered than our towns, which IBAL researches as part of its Anti-Litter League programme.

The new work taking place along the Killybegs pier and seafront were acknowledged by IBAL

The An Taisce report for Killybegs stated:

“The overall presentation of Killybegs harbour and immediate environs has certainly improved and continues apace with two further building projects underway. Attractive paving and new planting create a positive impression, along with the installation of fresh solar bins. 

"The removal of the council bins along the harbour side has resulted in the vacant cavities attracting dog fouling.  The only remaining bins in this area belong to the fast-food vans.  Litter was found in the rock armour and in the car-park by the slipway.

"Food related items included coffee cups, mineral and alcohol cans, fast-food wrappers, sweet papers, plastic bags etc. Various marine litter items included nets, ropes, fishing line and polystyrene and clothing had been discarded by the recycle bins. While there was dog fouling signage (albeit turned the wrong way, rendering it almost invisible) and bags for same, there was no visible dog fouling disposal facility or litter awareness signage. The provision of cigarette butt notices and more facilities for the disposal of same might also help.”

The An Taisce report for Bundoran beach stated:

“The overall impression at Bundoran was of an area which was generally well managed with the tarmacked area of the car park and promenade generally quite clean.

"Closer inspection, however, revealed long-lie litter along the sand verges of the car park and short-lie litter (sweet wrappers, cigarette butts, baby wipes and tissues) throughout the site. 

"Marine litter (e.g. rope / plastic) was also visible along the tide line, particularly trapped in the seaweed on the northern end of the beach.   Large black litter bins were solid and sturdy, bar one which was cracked. 

"While the bins had cigarette extinguishing facilities, they don't have disposal facilities - the provision of same could go a long way towards address the cigarette butt presence.   The '3 for the Sea' signage and rules about dogs on the beach signage were clear and legible. 

"The large 'Bundoran' mural looked great - the remainder of the wall area beside the life-guard hut was 'artwork in progress'.  While the steps mark the boundary of the survey area, there was a very obvious litter presence directly beside it and this could easily impact the overall impression of survey area if not addressed.”

The popular beaches at Portmarnock and Lahinch deteriorated to ‘littered’ status, as did Dog’s Bay in Galway, while those at Bundoran, Ballybunion, Skerries and Strandhill were deemed ‘moderately littered’. Clean beaches included Killiney, Salthill and Tramore, as well as Brittas Bay, which improved on last year.   

“Over an unsettled summer, where our beaches attracted far fewer numbers than normal, one might have expected the majority to be virtually free of litter,” says Conor Horgan of IBAL.  “Unfortunately, this does not reflect the state of our coastal environment. There is much ‘long lie’ litter and waste coming in from the sea, and this is compounded by litter from those who continue to frequent our coastline despite the inclement weather.”

Cleaning up the blackspots

For the first time since IBAL commenced its coastal surveys in 2017, no area was deemed a litter blackspot. Blackrock Castle (Cork Harbour), a blackspot in previous IBAL surveys, improved to littered, as did White’s Bay in Cork and the Tolka River at Annesley Bridge in Dublin. There was a positive turnaround at Grand Canal Dock in Dublin, previously ‘heavily littered’, which was judged ‘moderately littered’. 

Rise of the vapes

Disposable vapes were revealed as an emerging form of litter, encountered in 1 in 7 of all visits, making them significantly more common on our beaches than on our streets.

“This time last year we were not seeing this form of litter at all, so its rapid emergence is worrying. So, too, is its impact on our environment,” warns Conor Horgan. IBAL favours the banning of disposable vapes, which, it contends, run counter to the notion of a circular economy. Vapes contain electronics, chemical waste and single-use plastic which breaks down into microparticles, endangering sea life. “At a time when we are urgently trying to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans, the emergence of vapes is concerning.”  Research shows the number of disposable vapes sold each year in the US would stretch for over 7,000 miles.^ 

IBAL credits the Clean Coasts programme, which supports over 2,000 volunteer groups, as a major force in ridding our coasts of litter throughout the year. Its annual ‘Big Beach Clean’ takes place nationwide each September. The continued rise in volunteers, now in excess of 40,000, reflects the growing public concern around the marine environment.