Countdown clock ticks closer to 'Let’s Team Up to Clean Up' weekend in Kilkenny

The logistical operation is well under way to distribute the packs for the upcoming environmental initiative 'Let’s Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny'.

The initiative hit its 200th registration last week and the registration portal is now closed, as focus and attention turns to accommodate all the registered groups. Health and safety briefing sessions are under way. These short presentations of 30 minutes allows groups to stay safe as they complete their litter picks and instructions are given regarding the presentation of litter bags for collection by the waste management sponsor Panda. 

Paul Nolan from Dawn Meats dropped into County Hall last week to meet the Chairman of Kilkenny County Council Pat Fitzpatrick and the council’s acting Chief Executive Sean McKeown to get an update on progress.

Dawn Meats together with Tirlán/Glanbia Plc, Panda, PRL and the John O’Shea Trust have provided financial support to allow Kilkenny County Council make this initiative possible. A weekend of action across County Kilkenny is enabling groups and local communities to litter pick their neighbourhoods over the weekend of March 24.

During this weekend, an estimated 5,000 volunteers will be active, removing loose litter from the environment. It’s an opportunity for neighbours to reconnect and a chance to get out into the fresh air and work as a collective to rid litter throughout the county.

“Through our operations, Dawn Meats is committed to continual improvement of environmental performance and the promotion of sustainability practices are an integral part of our business culture," said Paul Nolan from Dawn Meats.

"Being a sponsor of Let’s Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny is an ideal opportunity to give back and support our local communities in a practical way. Enabling the provision of litter kits to groups in Kilkenny City and county like Mooncoin Tidy Towns who are local to our plant in Grannagh, is a chance to assist volunteers who give up their own time for the improvement of their local area. We are delighted to be part of this initiative, and we hope to see it grow in years to come.” 

Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council Sean McKeown said Kilkenny has a national reputation of being a clean environment, and its important economically to preserve and continue to maintain this high standard.

"The accumulation of litter can lower the tone of an area very quickly, and as we value our tourism product in Kilkenny and also to maintain the green image for the agricultural sector, initiatives like “Let’s Team Up to Clean Up, Together for Kilkenny” can bring economic benefits to the county," he said.

Chairman of Kilkenny Pat Fitzpatrick said that a litter free environment can also bring positive mental health benefits and the occasion to bring people and play a part of a community initiative also brings social benefits to communities across the county.

The CBS secondary transition year students have lent a hand to assemble to primary school kits while the army personnel from James Stephens Barracks are preparing the standard litter kit. Kits will be released, as registered groups complete their health and safety training.

Team Up to Clean Up is an example of communities coming together and improving for themselves the quality of life for their localities. The initiative is an opportunity to reduce the impact of litter with benefits across tourism, businesses and the economy, mental health and wellbeing, as well as the environment. Team Up to Clean Up builds on National Spring Clean and the vibrant Tidy Towns movement in Kilkenny.