Community Spring Clean 2023

National Spring Clean is Ireland’s most popular, well-recognized and successful anti-litter and waste initiative. It takes place in April each year.  The campaign encourages all sectors of society to actively participate and take responsibility for litter and waste.

National Spring Clean has been operated by An Taisce since 1999 in partnership with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

The size and scale of National Spring Clean events have grown steadily and significantly over the years. Taking part has real benefits for people including feeling good about supporting environmental activity, aiding practical clean-ups and increasing social interaction with people in your community.

In 2022, 5,640 events were arranged by registered groups. These events included local clean-ups nationwide and collected an estimated 2,800 tonnes of litter. As many as 500,000 volunteers participate in the Spring Clean which is a credit to all involved.

National Spring Clean 2023 aims to build on the progress and momentum from prior years to make 2023 the most successful April anti-litter campaign yet.

You can contact local resident associations, tidy town groups, schools, youth groups and other community groups as they usually get involved or organise events in your area.

Tips

Recycle IT have assembled some tips for organising a successful National Spring Clean event in your area! We can all do a little bit in our immediate area to make a difference. While involved stay safe, wear hi-vis, and gloves, follow guidelines and enjoy the company of others.

Time

• You will need time to organise your event. Start planning at least a few weeks in advance. Spring is the best time to do a cleanup – before grass and weeds have a chance to hide rubbish and litter and make retrieval more difficult.
• When you select a day or weekend for the cleanup, check with local community organisations and the local authority in your area to avoid any event conflict
• Arrange for the collection and disposal of the waste collected.

Planning

• A good plan will help your group set a direction and document the steps you need to take to organise the spring cleanup. Using an existing neighbourhood cleanup committee or forming a new group is a great way to get things done efficiently and build ownership at the same time.
• Use a Clean Up notebook to record names, numbers emails, dates and other important information. It’s good to document everything and maintain a clean-up file including photos. This can be used for grant applications and PR.
• Determine your “cleanup area” to get an idea of the support you will need. Use a map to coordinate teams and pickup routes. Records litter black spots and any locations requiring special tools or equipment to get the job done.
• Work to estimate the number of volunteers, assign tasks and develop a schedule.

Teaming

1. Remember letters or social media networks work well. If you do not know your neighbours, now is the right time to arrange Zoom or Whats-App calls. Introduce yourself and tell them what you would like to do. Do not ask for a commitment — that will come later — just get a feel for the support you have.
2. There may be groups within your community that regularly organize community projects. Consider partnering with these or other groups, even if they are not in your area.
3. Businesses and your local authority take pride in their communities. Ask them to help with this community effort by donating items or funding to support the event.
4. Take photos to share photos on websites, social media and in newsletter articles or annual reports.

Promotion

• Consider creating a promotional flyer to distribute via email to local businesses and organisations.
• Specify what will be or will not be accepted; provide options for those items.
• Inform residents about the pickup times. Specify the clean-up will occur regardless of the weather. 
• Include details of the cleanup in your parish and community newsletters, on social media, websites, local radio and newspapers.
• Invite the media to do a story on your cleanup – this is good recognition of volunteers, donors or sponsors.

Getting Started

Before you start, gather everyone together, to review the event and answer questions. Have a cleanup plan with a start and finish point in an estate or street with groups starting at both ends and working towards the middle. Spread volunteers out so they have plenty to do while having fun.

Organiser Duties

• Register interested parties.
• Ensure everyone is aware of safety requirements and areas to avoid.
• Make sure children are safe and supervised by adults.
• Answer questions on collection and removal.
• Have brochures and coupons available on how to dispose of items you cannot accept (WEEE, batteries, hazardous waste, tires, oil, etc.).
• Make sure plenty of water, mobile phones and a first aid kit on-site.
• Keep details for emergency service at hand.
• Keep a positive attitude. don’t get overwhelmed and avoid overwork – you can do more another day!

Whats Needed!

• Volunteers
• Bin bags
• Safety signs and general safety
• Gloves/heavy-duty
• Buckets for sharp objects
• Tools (ropes, rakes, shovels, etc.)
• Trees/wildflowers/grass seeds
• Hi-Vis Safety Vests
• First Aid Kit
• List of mobile phone numbers
• After clean-up events e.g. BBQ or picnic

Say Thanks

Take every opportunity to mention the support of your volunteers, especially when talking to the media. You should write thank you letters to key community groups and local businesses/donors. Provide copies of photos for their archives.

And Finally

Record what worked well and what didn’t. This means you do not have to reinvent the wheel this time next year! This information will be important for new and future members of the cleanup group.

If you would like to include a residents association door 2 door recycling collection for electrical, electronic and pure metal items as part of your local spring clean please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 or email info@recylceit.ie.

You can get community clean-up guidelines here.

About Recylce IT

Recycle IT, is an award-winning social enterprise offering electrical, electronic and metal recycling services through drop-off and collection. Services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland and South Dublin County Council.

Recycle IT is supported by Pobal and Dormant Accounts and authorised by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across the east midlands waste region

For more information on Recycle IT please call 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit our website www.recycleit.ie

To get your spring clean pack and more information click here