Considerable improvement for Roscommon in latest IBAL report

Roscommon town has received an early New Year boost as the county town has improved by an impressive eleven places in the latest IBAL (Irish Business Against Litter) Anti-Litter League survey, details of which were revealed today (Monday January 5th).

The town has been ranked twelfth from forty participating towns and cities and has been designated as ‘Clean to European Norms.’ Today’s news reflects the very effective engagement between Roscommon County Council’s Litter team, supported by the local Town Team, local Tidy Towns Committee, local businesses and other stakeholders.

In its report, the survey described the current survey for Roscommon town as “a very strong result, with seven out of the ten sites surveyed getting the top litter grade.”  These included Centre Point Shopping Centre, some of the town’s approach roads and Roscommon Arts Centre.

The report went on to pay particular credit to the condition of N61 Athlone Road which it described as being “very clean and litter free approach to the town, with pavements, planting, grass areas in good order with no major litter issues associated with this area.

This high standard was maintained for well over half of the sites surveyed in Roscommon for this current survey. There was fencing on the ground beside a petrol station, but there were no visible litter issues.

The report authors also cited the pristine condition of the N63 Longford, assigning an ‘A Grade’ for the route, describing it as “a very freshly presented route into Roscommon, creating a positive first impression of the town.

Commendation was also given to the town’s shopping centre or Centepoint area on the town’s Circular Road, which was described as “very much deserving of the top litter grade with paving described as being ‘in good order.’

The report also gave ‘Grade A’ designations to Roscommon Arts Centre, highlighting the condition of the building and the immediate environs, noting a complete absence of litter throughout the area surveyed.

Citing the Deposit Return Scheme facility, located at the Aldi retail outlet on the town’s Circular Road roundabout, the site was descried as being “very freshly presented, and the immediate environs was spotless” paying credit to those who worked on the upkeep of the facility.

The report was also complementary of the Sacred Heart Church, where it noted, there was “a complete absence of litter throughout the grounds of this church,” adding: “(the) grounds were lovingly tended and all elements were in very good order.”

The town’s Convent Court residential area also came in for particular praise, also receiving a Grade A or top litter grade and was described as “spotless throughout. “

The Main Street just missed the top litter grade - the latter was described as being particularly freshly presented and maintained. Noted in this area was the extensive Paving, tree planting, and planter boxes, which the report cited “all looked very well along the Main Street, contributing to the overall impression of same.”

The report went on to cite the ‘Blue Badge’ / Wheelchair parking spaces would it remarked, would benefit from painting as wheelchair images were worn away. Some of the black litter bins were very old / presented poorly – the blue litter bins were much fresher in appearance.  

While the report conceded there was some improvement at waste ground adjacent to Recycle Facility, they were not sufficient to lift it from a heavily littered one, commenting “works have definitely taken place here, but there is still scope for further improvements. “

The report conceded works has been carried out at the waste ground, resulting in a much-improved visual impact. However, this has not been the case for the entire site, resulting in a still poor litter grade.”

In conclusion, the IBAL report was also complementary of areas which had improved considerably yet had the potential for further enhancement. The R366 Creggs approach road, received a Grade B+ designation, prompting the comment “not much effort is required for this route to get the top litter grade – there were too many sweet papers / fast-food wrappers / tissues. However, the overall impression was generally good.”

Speaking following the publication of the report, Chief Technician with responsibility for Waste and Litter in the Environment Section of Roscommon County Council, Mark Gorman, hailed the latest findings of the IBAL Litter League survey, complementing the level of co-operation between many stakeholders.

“These latest findings are a fine reflection of the work being undertaken by local volunteers, Area Office staff and our Environment team here in Roscommon County Council. Our Town Team, local business, local Tidy Towns Committee members and other stakeholders have worked tremendously hard to deliver these positive results.

“Today’s findings give everyone the motivation to build on these findings and further enhance the appearance of our county town. First impressions of any town, particular the absence of litter, inspire great local pride, but also encourage visitors to return to visit Roscommon and even invest in the town.

“Roscommon County Council Environment Section wish to acknowledge the major cleanup and site security fencing works carried out by the owners of the property referred to as ‘waste ground’ in the report and will engage with the property owners to seek further improvement at this location over the coming months.

“Again, I’d like to commend everyone who has helped to deliver such a strong and positive result for Roscommon town. Together with our built heritage and attractive public realm, our town is more and more becoming a ‘go-to destination for visitors to Roscommon”, Mr. Gorman concluded.

Overall, this latest LBAL Litter League survey has revealed that the Deposit Return Scheme continues to have a positive impact on the cleanliness of towns and cities, with a 10% drop in the prevalence of cans and plastic bottles compared to the previous year.

Coffee cups remained one of the most commonly found forms of litter and was evident in one fifth of all sites surveyed. The prevalence of disposable vapes, which are set to be outlawed over the course of 2026, was unchanged.   

Set up in 1996, Irish Business Against Litter is an alliance of companies sharing a belief that continued economic prosperity - notably in the areas of tourism, food, and direct foreign investment - is contingent on a clean, litter-free environment. As part of the IBAL Anti-Litter League, An Taisce monitors towns independently and in accordance with international grading standards.