Photo: Cormac MacMahon
Galway City Council, in partnership with CuriOcean CLG, is inviting the public to propose solutions to reduce waste and litter in the Salthill area on busy summer days. CuriOcean CLG is a Galway-based charity working to raise awareness of marine conservation issues, see www.CuriOcean.com for more information.
This innovative project will engage with the local community and visitors to propose evidence-based solutions, with volunteers on the ground in Salthill over the months of July, August, and early September, collecting feedback and monitoring litter levels. The project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The local community and visitors to the area are invited to fill in a survey (online, or with volunteers in Salthill) which will focus on behaviour change, waste perception and environmental impact. The subsequent data will be analysed, along with drone footage of waste and litter on the beaches in Salthill to get a comprehensive overview of litter patterns during peak busy periods. Follow-up workshops will also take place, to ensure local communities and sustainability are at the core of any proposed solutions during peak periods.
Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Alan Cheevers commented, “As one of the cleanest cities in Ireland in the recent IBAL results, and in an area with a prestigious Blue Flag Beach, this project is essential for understanding the complex issues involved in litter and waste management in Salthill. This study is very much a collaborative effort between Galway City Council, the team in CurioOcean CLG, and the public visiting the fantastic amenities in Salthill. With such a comprehensive study and inclusive input, Galway City Council will be in a position to explore evidence-based, creative measures to tackle litter issues in the area during busy periods”.
Galway City Council Environmental Awareness Officer, Fergal Cushen commented, “This is a great opportunity to explore evidence-based solutions to litter and waste, informed by the opinions of the people living in, and visiting, Salthill. Salthill is extremely busy during the summer period, and this leads to many different types of environmental pressures in the area. Galway City Council’s aim is to take the lead in litter management and tackle the waste arising from high volumes of visitors to the area, in the most sustainable way possible”.
Members of the public are invited to share information on litter blackspots, ideas to deal with littering and causes of litter during busy periods in Salthill.
Luana Jungmann, CEO of CuriOcean commented, “We are delighted to partner with the City Council for this project. The idea for this study proposal originated organically through the walks taken on the prom during busy summer days and feedback we received during our work organising beach clean ups in Salthill. It is tremendous to see the City Council join us in this endeavour. Everyone in Salthill, and our beautiful marine environment should benefit from the results and workshops.”
Fergal Cushen and Diarmaid Ó Nualláin from Galway City Council are encouraging members of the public to take part in the survey, as part of our ongoing commitment to encouraging innovative solutions to litter management. Galway City Council encourages everyone to get involved, spread the message, and share your ideas to tackle litter and waste in Salthill.
The survey can be accessed at the link below:
English version: https://forms.gle/WQzLx3a1tf79QSbM8
This initiative is funded by the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti grant scheme through the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.