2023 Pure Mile Awards Night

The Pure Mile Awards was back again this year to celebrate the hard work and achievements of all the Pure Mile volunteers in cleaning up the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands.

The Pure Mile Awards is an initiative which encourages communities and groups living in rural areas of Wicklow, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, to adopt a stretch of road either in their local area or in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands and organise litter picks, clean-ups, and anti-dumping campaigns, as well as research information about the area’s flora, fauna, and heritage. The initiative was established by Pure, the first regional partnership initiative established in Ireland to combat fly-tipping/illegal dumping and was officially launched in September 2006.

Certificates of Participation were presented to all Pure Mile Groups on the night by Councillor Denis O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, and Councillor Alan Edge, Mayor of South Dublin. A number of Certificates of Recognition were also presented on the night with more than €6,000 distributed to groups to further assist them in their local projects to improve and enhance the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands.

2023 was the fourteenth year of the Pure Mile, with the largest number of groups and volunteers involved in the project since it was established in 2009. In the first year the Pure Mile had 5 miles of road (8.5 kilometres), and since then has grown to collectively improve and enhance over 900 miles of road.

Councillor Denis O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council commented:

“Pure is a wonderful example of a collaboration across several state bodies and one that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is proud to part of. Working with our partners in Department of Environment, Climate, and Communications, Wicklow County Council, South Dublin County Council, Coillte, National Parks & Wildlife Service, and the Wicklow Uplands Council has had great benefits. Moreover, the work by our communities is a critical part of Pure and its success is a testament to the work done by each community involved.”

Ian Davis, Pure Manager, added:

“The Pure Mile has grown every year and we now have thousands of volunteers involved. This year we saw some large-scale clean-ups and litter picks in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands. Over the years the Pure Mile Volunteers have removed tonnes of litter and illegal dumping from upland roads, verges, hedges, and drains, and they have made a huge difference to the areas they live in, or recreate in. We estimate that Pure Mile Groups removed over 47 tonnes of illegal dumping, including, tyres, batteries, mattresses, radios, hovers, TV’s, cables, piping, furniture, chairs, bedframes, building materials, toys, prams, suitcases, buckets, bikes, and much more. I would like to thank and congratulate all of the Pure Mile Groups this year for their dedication in Cleaning Up The Wicklow/Dublin Uplands.”

Pure was launched in 2006 and since that date it has proven extremely successful, in both reducing illegal dumping, and engaging with all demographics in society.  It’s the first project of its kind in Ireland involving a multi stakeholder approach collaboration with, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, Wicklow County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Coillte, National Parks & Wildlife Service, and the Wicklow Uplands Council.

If any groups want to get involved in Pure Mile, they can contact Pure at info@pureproject.ie or download an application from their website here. You can also call them at 0402 28662 or write to them to enquire:

Pure Project

Unit 6 B

Riverside Business Centre

Tinahely

Co Wicklow

Y14 R978

Further information on Pure can be found on their website.

To report dumping in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands, lo-call 1800 365 123