A team of over 50 volunteers and council staff have spruced up Rossnowlagh beach after a recent beach clean-up.
Participants from the Rossnowlagh Ramblers, the Ballyshannon Regeneration Group, Irish Water staff and the Clean Coast team got together last Tuesday to tidy their local beach.
A large amount of rubbish had been dumped on the scenic beach the previous day. This included an oven, a fridge and other electrical equipment as well as general household waste. The large electrical items were removed by Donegal County Council.
More than 30 bags of rubbish were also collected on the day. The litter included rope, fishing nets, plastic bottles, cigarette butts, coffee cup lids, towels, cardboard and timber.
Siobhan Sheil, Irish Water was delighted with the turnout at the clean-up: “Clean Coasts gave a very informative presentation about the types of seaweed present on the beach and the types of litter commonly found on beaches to the group. It was a great opportunity for everyone to talk about their local environment and witness first-hand how passionate the local community is about protecting their beaches.
“This is just one of a number of beach cleans being organised by Irish Water across the country, with the next one organised for Strandhill Beach in Co Sligo on October 15.”
Following the beach clean, Clean Coasts also talked about what not to flush down the toilet as part of their Think Before You Flush campaign which is supported by Irish Water.
Laura Robinson, a member of the Rossnowlagh Ramblers explained that the group regularly carry out litter picks on the beach outlining what items they find and how they reuse and recycle what they can. For example, they regularly pick up towels that have been left behind which they wash and donate to charity if they are fit for use or else donate to animal sanctuaries.
