Bettystown Tidy Towns group sustainability scheme has real growth potential

From seeds and stainless steel bottles to reusable coffee cups and glasses collections, Bettystown Tidy Towns are leading the way locally in sustainability, showing how small community actions can have a big environmental impact.

Chairperson Liam Keane said the group’s latest project, a free Seed Library, has been “a real hit” since it was introduced earlier this year.

Located on Triton Road outside the group’s Green Gate Garden, the Seed Library invites residents to “borrow” seeds, plant them, and return harvested seeds next year to keep the cycle going.

“All of the seeds are sourced locally and are well-suited to the village’s soil and climate,” Liam explained. “It’s about encouraging people to grow their own while building a sense of community.”

Hundreds of seed packets have already been shared, from marigolds and primroses to wildflower mixes. The project was made possible thanks to local support with Mick Lynch constructing the library, Cormac Dillon of Mack Signs providing the beautiful lettering, and Meath County Council sponsoring the initiative.

The group’s focus on the circular economy has also seen them team up with local schools for a Reusable Water Bottle Initiative, launched earlier this year at the East Meath Civic Centre in partnership with Meath County Council’s Environment Department.

A total of 1,850 stainless-steel bottles, made from recycled materials, were distributed to pupils and staff across four primary schools: Le Chéile Educate Together N.S., Réalt na Mara B.N.S., Scoil Olibhéar Naofa, and Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Feasa. Each bottle carries the crests of the participating schools, along with the Bettystown Tidy Towns and Meath County Council logos.

“The schools agreed that no student or teacher would bring in single-use plastic bottles anymore,” Liam said. “It’s a simple change but one that’s already reducing waste and setting a great example for others.”

The initiative was jointly funded by Meath County Council, the schools, and Bettystown Tidy Towns.

Earlier this year, the group also gained recognition for their “Take a Coffee Break from Single-Use Cups” campaign, which encouraged local cafés and customers to ditch disposable cups and switch to reusables. The initiative was praised for helping reduce litter and showing how local businesses can make sustainable choices part of everyday life. Another local success has been their eyeglasses collection drive.

“We’ve collected 144 pairs of glasses so far,” he said. “It’s been so popular that our donation box in Stacks Pharmacy, Bettystown, will stay in place for a few more weeks. We’re really grateful to everyone who donated and to the pharmacy staff for their support.”

All collected glasses are sent to the Lions Club through Specsavers, where they are cleaned, graded, and distributed to people in need in developing countries.

Whether it is seed swapping, coffee cup reuse, or collecting glasses for charity, Bettystown Tidy Towns continue to prove that sustainability starts close to home.

“We just want to make it easy for people to get involved,” Liam said. “When people see how simple it is to make a difference, they do, and that’s how change happens.”