Majority of NI now litter free says survey

Councils in Northern Ireland have brushed up their act to such an extent that a staggering 95% of the country is now clean.

This is according to a major new survey by Tidy Northern Ireland who are to report the findings to Environment Minister, Angela Smith on Monday.

Amagh and Castlereagh were judged to be the cleanest in Northern Ireland, however Tidy NI Director Ian Cole warned councils not to rest on their laurels or face soaring cleaning-up bills.

“Rate payers fork out over £22 million a year to keep Northern Ireland tidy and judging by our results they are getting very good value for money” Mr Cole said. “But unless the drop stops, that bill is going to grow and the pleasing progress made in tourism will slow down. This is why we want to see all councils campaign more vigorously and fine more effectively.”

Aside from revealing the results at Stormont today, Tidy Northern Ireland will sign a formal agreement with An Taisce (who campaign to reduce litter in the Republic) to swap research and campaign ideas and work more closely in the future.

GMTV presenter Eamon Holmes will also deliver an anti-litter message to delegates via video link.

Mr Holmes was recently highly critical of the litter problem in Belfast.

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