Green Kilometre volunteers collect 10 tonnes of litter

(Above) Cathaoirleach Ken Glynn launching the Green Kilometre Scheme.

More than 10 tonnes of rubbish have already been collected in the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District by members of the public participating in the council's Green Kilometre Scheme.

Launched in February, the idea behind the initiative is that individuals or groups pick a one kilometre stretch of road in their areas and commit to picking up litter there for a year. As well as picking up litter, participants can engage in other activities such as hedge maintenance and maintaining heritage features.

Speaking this week, the cathaoirleach, Cllr Ken Glynn, paid tribute to the scores of local volunteers who have signed up for the initiative.

“Illegal dumping is first and foremost a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. A huge number of clean ups have been taking place around the county by individuals and community groups and I’d like to compliment them for their work and for making a positive change to their community. It’s like the county has got a 'deep-clean' and we’re asking everyone to do their part to keep it clean and report any illegal dumping or activity to the free phone number 1800 819 000.”

Meanwhile, members of the public have been asked once again to bring their litter home if they are visiting one of the local lakeside amenities.

During the recent hot spell over the weekend of April 23/24, Westmeath County Council's outdoor workers collected over a tonne of rubbish from lakeside amenities in the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District alone. At Lough Owel, people left behind towels and shoes, as well as empty cans and bottles, while large amounts of litter were also left behind at the lakeside amenity areas at Lough Ennell and Lough Lene.