Sligo has reclaimed the title of Ireland’s cleanest town according to the latest survey by the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). Conducted by An Taisce, the report assessed 40 towns and cities, finding that 27 met the criteria for being “clean.” While Sligo led the rankings, Limerick city centre was the only location branded as “littered” in this round of evaluations.
Did You Know?
Despite the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), the survey found that plastic bottle and can litter reached its highest levels since the scheme began, appearing in 19% and 22% of sites respectively.
How cities and towns performed
Sligo secured the top position, finishing ahead of Monaghan and Leixlip. Waterford maintained its status as the cleanest city in Ireland, placing fourth overall. Inspectors from An Taisce highlighted Sligo’s approach roads, its “exceptionally freshly presented” Retail Park, and the “complete absence of litter” at the Great War Memorial Garden as key factors in its high ranking.
Progress was also recorded in urban areas previously classified as socially disadvantaged. Dublin north inner city, Cork northside, Galway’s Ballybane, and Ballymun all improved from “littered” to “moderately littered.” According to Conor Horgan of IBAL, this shift follows 15 years of surveying and reflects sustained investment from Dublin and Cork City Councils.
The status of Limerick city centre
Limerick city centre was the only location among the 40 surveyed to be labeled “littered.” An Taisce inspectors reported a lack of clean sites in the area, identifying specific persistent hotspots. These include Mount Kenneth Place, the entrance to the Henry Street car park, the residential area of Grattan Court, the recycle facility on Dock Road, and the laneway at Cruises Street car park.
Expert Insight:
While the overall data suggests a national trend toward cleaner environments, the persistence of specific litter types—namely coffee cups and cigarette butts—indicates that behavioral changes are lagging behind infrastructure investments. The contrast between successful municipal waste strategies and the failure of economic incentives like the DRS suggests that future policy may need to focus more on consumer habits rather than just collection mechanisms.
What is the outlook for national cleanliness?
Local authorities appear to be addressing persistently littered sites more effectively, which could lead to further improvements as the peak tourist season approaches. Conor Horgan noted that if Dublin proceeds with plans to eliminate bag-based domestic waste collection in the inner city, the capital could see a significant rise in cleanliness levels.
However, challenges remain regarding specific items. Coffee cup litter is at its highest level since 2023, and cigarette butt litter has increased compared to 2025. With talk of a “latte levy” having stalled, the government faces pressure to address these persistent sources of waste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which town is currently ranked as the cleanest in Ireland?
Sligo holds the top spot according to the latest IBAL survey, followed by Monaghan and Leixlip.
Did the Deposit Return Scheme reduce bottle and can litter?
The scheme has reduced this type of litter by over 50%, but the survey found that plastic bottle and can litter is currently at its highest level since the scheme was introduced.
Why was Limerick city centre branded as “littered”?
Inspectors identified a lack of clean sites and noted that several areas, such as the Dock Road recycle facility and Cruises Street car park laneway, are consistently heavily littered.
How do you think local authorities should prioritize their efforts to tackle persistent littering in urban centers?
