It’s time for a spring clean

Registrations open for popular campaign

It is time to roll up our sleeves and make a meaningful impact on your local environment as registrations open for the 26th National Spring Clean!

Operated by An Taisce, funded by the Dept of Environment, Climate and Communications and sponsored by Mars Wrigley, the National Spring Clean is Ireland’s largest anti-litter campaign, rallying thousands of volunteers each year. This year marks 26 years of the campaign, which has seen the removal of an estimated 50,000 tonnes of litter from Irish streets, parks, and coastlines over the years, thanks to the dedication of thousands of volunteers over the years.

Following the success of the 25th anniversary Spring Clean last year, organisers are kicking off the 26th year this April, by encouraging individuals and communities across the country to register now to ensure that the 2025 campaign is the biggest and most impactful to date.

Launching this year’s registration drive, Emlyn Cullen, Programme Manager, An Taisce highlighted the impact that the campaign has had on Ireland’s litter landscape. “Over the years, the National Spring Clean campaign has been hugely successful in combatting litter and protecting local environments and biodiversity, thanks to the efforts of thousands of volunteers in communities across the country. We’re looking forward to another year of positive impact, with the launch of the 2025 National Spring Clean campaign.”

Last year, 30% of all waste collected during the National Spring Clean was recycled, as the campaign continues to highlight the importance of a circular economy and waste reduction.

This emphasis is further supported by schemes such as the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which was launched last February. According to an Irish Businesses Against Litter (IBAL) survey, the introduction of the DRS saw a near 50% reduction in the prevalence of plastic bottles and cans in 500+ sites monitored across 40 counties. In February this year, the DRS reached a milestone of 1 billion returned containers. However, overall litter levels remain high with smoking related litter which includes cigarettes butts and vapes on the rise.

Minister of State for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, said: “With brighter evenings on the way, it’s an opportune time to get outdoors and get involved in a local community effort like An Taisce’s National Spring Clean. Every year, the local volunteers who participate continue to demonstrate the fantastic community spirit and desire to make a positive contribution to the local environment. I have no doubt we will see the same great sense of volunteerism this year, which I hope will be reflected in record attendance.”

Emyln Cullen added: “Schemes like DRS are fantastic because they show that society cares about reducing litter and contributing to making a positive impact on the environment and have a very real impact on waste reduction. However, there is still work to be done to reduce litter, which is why initiatives like the National Spring Clean matter more than ever. I’d strongly encourage anyone who has the time and ability to get involved! It’s a fantastic way to give back to your local community in a simple but hugely impactful way.”

Volunteers are invited to register individually or in groups to receive a free clean-up kit and take part in the annual event, which is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Local Authorities and supported by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and Mars Wrigley.

The National Spring Clean is one of many environmental initiatives sponsored by Mars Wrigley, which also include The Gum Litter Taskforce and the Green Schools' Programme.

HOW TO REGISTER

You can register for the event at nationalspringclean.org/register-now/