Registration is now open for the National Spring Clean 2022, the country's largest anti-litter initiative which calls on communities from around Ireland to make a tangible impact on our environment.

For the past 23 years, 85,000 clean-ups have been organised with volunteers dedicating a total of 12 million hours to remove around 42,000 tonnes of litter across the country.

National Spring Clean 2021 was the biggest and the longest campaign so far, taking place between March and August, and despite the current situation and restrictions at the start of the year, 5,543 groups registered to carry out clean-ups throughout the country and collected an estimated 3,000 tonnes of litter around Ireland.

This year's spring clean is an opportunity for volunteers to take local actions to make a change at a global scale.

Speaking on the initiative, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, said:

"An Taisce's National Spring Clean is a real testament to the work of volunteers all over the country. These volunteers continue to organise local clean-ups every year. The past two years have proven difficult because of the necessary Covid restrictions, but this year represents a real opportunity for people to get together and help clean up our countryside."

"I would urge people to get involved and I would like to acknowledge the key role played by An Taisce in overseeing the campaign. My Department will continue to provide support to the campaign and I look forward to the many events that will be held countrywide."

Things we can do all year:
While the National Spring Clean usually runs through the month of April, there are plenty of actions we can take throughout the year.

  1. When you are out for a walk, visiting a park or a beach, do a quick #2minutestreetclean or a #2minutebeachclean
  2. Avoid single-use plastic when possible, by choosing more sustainable alternatives, such as reusable bottles and coffee cups, cotton bags, metal straws, etc.
  3. Don't litter and if a bin is overflowing, keep your waste until you find a waste to dispose of it properly
  4. If you can’t reduce or reuse, recycle; know where and how to recycle all types of waste.
  5. Recent statistics show that, in Ireland, discarded cigarette butts make up for 60% of litter on the streets. Always bin your butt!
  6. Make sure to bin your chewing gum when you’re done to avoid a €150 gum littering fine and keep our streets clean.

The National Spring Clean programme is inviting people to visit the website at www.nationalspringclean.org to request a free clean-up kit.