Council to provide litter pickers and bags for public at outdoor sites

The council is looking at providing litter picking equipment at outdoor recreational sites around the county in a bid to encourage people to collect rubbish when they are out for a walk.

At the recent October meeting of Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District, Mayor Hazel Smyth submitted a motion asking that the local authority “provide litter pickers/bags to collect rubbish at the entrances to the greenway in Mullingar...to encourage people to collect rubbish”.

Responding to Cllr Smyth's query, MKMD said that the environment section “has commenced looking into the possibility of providing litter picking equipment at various sites”.

“They are currently researching the experiences of other local authorities who have provided such equipment at beaches and outdoor sites. They are exploring the cost benefit and practicalities of the management of such a scheme.”

Welcoming the news, Cllr Smyth said that by providing pickers and bags, the council would “encourage communities to take pride in where they are from”.