Galway County Council has announced details of a new environmental initiative aimed at fostering public involvement in the fight against litter.

The Galway County Council Anti-Litter Ambassador Programme presents a pro-active and non-confrontational way for individuals, groups, communities and businesses to declare their support for a litter-free county.

Under the new initiative, Anti-Litter Ambassadors will sign a pledge committing not to litter and to participating in the numerous anti-litter initiatives supported by Galway County Council, including National Spring Clean, the gum litter campaign, dog fouling campaign and the Picker Pals programme.

A massive 958 waste complaints were received by Galway County Council in 2023, each of which were investigated by the Environment section’s 15 Community Wardens.

A total of 83 fines were issued during 2023, up 24% on 2022, while 36 litter and waste cases were referred to Law Agents during the year.

Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway Cllr. Liam Carroll said that litter took from the beauty of the county – and the simple solution to the problem is not to litter.

“The vast majority of people who live in and visit Galway are hugely responsible when to comes to litter management, but that does not mean that the war on litter is won,” he said.

“By becoming an Anti-Litter Ambassador, those who sign the pledge will be declaring that they are part of the solution,” he added.

Galway County Council will be rolling out public awareness campaigns in the coming months to promote the Anti-Ambassador programme including visits by staff of the local authority’s Environment section to primary schools across the county.

Visit www.galway.ie/en for more on how to become Anti-Litter Ambassador or contact the Environment section of Galway County Council on 091-509510 or environment@galwaycoco.ie for more information.

Pictured: Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Cllr Liam Carroll with CEO Liam Conneally pictured with representatives of Galway County Council, Oranmore and Maree CE Scheme, Kinvara Tidy Towns, Oranmore Tidy Towns, and pupils from Oranmore Boys NS and Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore, at the launch of the Galway County Council Anti-Litter Ambassador programme in Oranmore.