Walterstown residents waging war on litter, again!

Members of the community in Walterstown are once more set to wage war on litter.

Leading local activist Carmel Duffy has called on people in the area to engage in another big clean up.

She has requested people to gather at the carpark opposite Walterstown Church on Saturday 17th February, 10am.

The plan is that from there the volunteers will spread out into surrounding roads and start picking up whatever rubbish they may find - and there is a lot of it about strewn in the ditches.

Three years ago when another big clean-up took place volunteers - who turned out in force in wintry conditions - picked up a huge amount of rubbish in black plastic bags.

And what they encountered as they went about the task was at times remarkable, ranging from the ubiquitous plastic bottles to dirty nappies to a typewriter.

“I simply can't believe all the coffee cups and plastic bottles that are thrown in ditches and roadsides,” explained Carmel at the time.

“We have found pieces of furniture thrown out, a typewriter even, it's unbelievable what you would find on the side of the road.

“One that got me was a big cardboard box full of food from a restaurant, all pre-packed, with the plastic covers over it, a huge amount of it in a big box. It's just disgusting what's on the roads, the amounts of tyres and hubcaps is unbelievable. It beggars belief how bad it is.”

The huge amount of rubbish collected in 2021 and the litter now back in the ditches in the area underlines the very formidable problem many communities face in trying to keep their areas clean.

Meanwhile, images of overflowing recycling bins in Kells emerged over the weekend on social media with complaints that the receptacles are “always full”.

Meath Co Council have been contacted for comment.