Protecting Uplands & Rural Environments

Click on each of the sections below to read recent and past articles on the PURE Project

• Wicklow People 30-June-2010

  REWARDS FOR GROUPS THAT WENT THE EXTRA PURE MILE: Efforts by local communities to make Wicklow even more beautiful were rewarded last Thursday night in the Brooklodge Hotel. The awards for the PURE Mile Project was well attended and the environmental initiative aims to foster a greater appreciation and awareness of country roadscapes.... Read more >>

• The Star 4- April- 2010

  YOU WASTERS: The Star Newspaper leads their story on illegal dumping with a PURE Project picture if illegal dumping in the Sally Gap area. The paper states that, ‘Environmental campaigners fear the dumping will ruin Irelands reputation as a clean and green tourist destination’. Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 16-March-2010

  Wicklow Times provides a full background history and recent statistics of the PURE project – commenting on the project the manager of PURE states that over 165,000 bags of rubbish have been removed from the upland areas. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 10-March-2010

  Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 The Wicklow People publishes a full page article on the Pure Project and its continual battle against illegal dumping in the Wicklow upland areas Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 2-March-2010

  IT’S A DISGRACE: Residents and locals are outraged at the amount of dumping in the scenic Vale of Avoca. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 16-December-2009

  PURE appeal for dumpers to stop – organisation say Christmas clean-outs ending up in mountains. PURE appeal to the public ‘not to use the Christmas period as a season to dump rubbish’. Post Christmas is a busy time for PURE and ‘unfortunately, some people consider the Christmas period a clean-out time and... Read more >>

• Wicklow People 02-September-2009

  EXTRA MILE WANT TO ADOPT A PIECE OF ROAD. Regional papers report on the public’s interest in the new PURE initiative, The PURE Mile. Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 1-September-2009

  The PURE Mile of Wicklow. The Wicklow Times reports on the launch of the new environmental project initiated by the PURE project entitled, ‘The PURE Mile’. This new initiative encourages communities to adopt a mile of road in their area Read more >>

• Wicklow News 21-July-2009

  Concerned raised over illegal dumping. The Wicklow News provides information on an incident of illegal dumping that was sent into the paper by ‘a concerned reader’. Read more >>

• Life Times 6-May-2009

  Young filmmakers debut work in local cinemas; Seven young filmmakers from Loughlinstown’s Laurence’s Secondary School saw their work debut on the silver screen in May and June thanks to an innovative partnership which also involved in the PURE Project. The students of the school starred in, filmed, and edited an advertisement for cinemas which... Read more >>

• Irish Mountain Log-Spring 2009

  ‘Fly-tipping tackled – 800 tonnes removed’. The Irish Mountain Log describe how illegal dumping affects the upland areas and how walkers can assist. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 11-February-2009

  ‘PURE gets cash to continue battle with illegal dumpers – HUGE INCREASE IN FLY TIPPING OVER CHRISTMAS PERIOD’. Wicklow People reports on Government funding of PURE for a further three years and the amount of illegal dumping that occurred in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands over the Christmas period. ‘The PURE hotline was flooded... Read more >>

• Wicklow News 3-February-2009

  “Appalling”. More than 1.5 tonnes of dumped mattresses, furniture and other household rubbish was removed from the Newtown bottle bank area over the Christmas. Environmental protection body PURE and the Wicklow County Council were inundated with calls over the Christmas break in relation to illegally dumped rubbish at regional bottle banks, with Newtown... Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 3-February-2009

  ‘PURE busy removing post Christmas dumping’. The post Christmas period was very busy for both PURE and Wicklow County Council. The PURE truck was also extremely busy after the Christmas break with close to 70 collections in the first week with approximately 20 tonnes of illegal dumping removed from the Wicklow Upland... Read more >>

• PURE Press Release January 2009

  The after Christmas period was a very busy period for both PURE and Wicklow County Council. Wicklow County Council was inundated by calls/reports in relation to illegal dumping at the regional bottles banks. Worse affected were areas in Dunlavin, Newtown and Tinahely. In the past these amenity sites have been affected... Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 16-December-2008

  ‘PURE to receive funding until 2011’. Wicklow Times reports that the PURE Project is to receive funding for the next three years. Minister Gormley announced the extension of the PURE project from 2009 to 2011, stating that, ‘The partnership approach adopted by the PURE Project, to the problem of illegal dumping and... Read more >>

• Wicklow People 10-December-2008

  ‘PURE Project gets €300,000 to tackle waste’. Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley T.D. announced during the week that the project established in 2006 to battle the problem of fly-tipping and illegal dumping in the Wicklow Mountains would receive €100,000 each year over a three year period. Minister Gormley... Read more >>

• Wicklow News 9-December-08

  ‘Roche welcomes PURE funding’. Wicklow T.D., Dick Roche, Minister for European Affairs has welcomed the continued commitment to Wicklow’s PURE Project with the allocation of €100,000 per annum of each of the next three years. The project, Protecting Uplands and Rural Environments with established with the Minister’s support in 2006 when he was minister... Read more >>

• Tallaght Echo 26-November-08

  ‘800 tonnes of rubbish – Environmental group overwhelmed by amount’. The Tallaght Echo reports on the quantities of rubbish removed from the uplands since 2007 stressing that ‘…it’s vital that people realise how serious the problem has become.’ Read more >>

• Southside People 19-November-08

  ‘Hundreds of tonnes of rubbish dumped in the mountains.’ The Southside People provide end of year statistics for the PURE Project and comment on the numerous of initiatives established by the project to date. Read more >>

• Irish Times 11-November-08

  ‘Rise in illegal dumping in Dublin mountains’. Irish Times and other newspapers have provided updates on PURE in recent weeks all commenting on the amount of illegal dumping removed from the upland region. ‘The amount of rubbish removed equates to 114,000 standard black rubbish bags…’ The article mentions the numerous reports PURE... Read more >>

• Wicklow People 12-November-2008

  ‘800 tonnes of rubbish taken off the Wicklow/Dublin hills’. ‘IF YOU lined up all the bags of rubbish that have been removed from the Wicklow/Dunlin Uplands since 2007 they would stretch from Glendalough to Wexford.’ The Wicklow People comment on a recent update from the PURE project and provide interesting statistics about... Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 11-November-2008

  ‘800 tonnes of rubbish collected from uplands’. ‘PURE (Protecting Uplands & Rural Environments), an environmental project which was established to tackle the increase of fly-tipping/illegal dumping in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands, has removed approximately 800 tonnes of rubbish from the environment since 2007.’ Read more >>

• Wicklow News 11-November-2008

  ‘Mountain dumping condemned’. Wicklow News reports on recent collection statistics from PURE commenting that, ‘The amount of rubbish collected in the Wicklow Mountains since last year could line the route from Glendalough to Wexford, an environmental group has claimed’. Read more >>

• PURE Press Release November 2008

  An environmental project which was established to tackle the increase of fly-tipping/illegal dumping in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands, PURE (Protecting Uplands & Rural Environments), has removed approximately 800 tonnes of rubbish from the environment since 2007. This amounts to 800,000kg of rubbish, which is the equivalent of over 114,000 standard black rubbish bags. The project... Read more >>

• Wicklow People 28-May-2008

  ‘Dumping discovered at historic graveyard’. Family members of graves in the cemetery of Rosahane are reported to have been disgusted when they heard about the recent dumping at the graveyard. It is believed that unauthorised waste collectors may be ‘…behind the illegal dumping of two tonnes of household waste at a scenic graveyard... Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 28-May-2008

  ‘More dumping in Wicklow Uplands’. Dumping discovered in the scenic graveyard of Rosahane attracts attention of regional media. Similar to previous articles the coverage asks the public to be aware of unauthorised waste collectors operating in the region. Linda McDonald, Acting Administrative Officer of Wicklow County Council Waste Management stated that... Read more >>

• Wicklow News 27-May-2008

  ‘Illegal dumping in Aughrim’. Rogue waste collectors are presumed responsible for recent dumping at the tranquil site of Rosahane graveyard close to Aughrim village. ‘About two tonnes of illegally dumped waste was found in the parking lot at the 18th Century graveyard.’ As with all interviews and press articles the PURE... Read more >>

• Wicklow People 21-May-2008

  ‘St Saviours’ students learn from dumping study’. Article reports on a project by St. Saviour’s school and their ‘…extensive study on dumping habits, while asking members of the public for their opinion.' The PURE project had previously visited the school after they received their Primary School Teachers’ Pack and provided a power point presentation... Read more >>

• Wicklow People 14-May-2008

  ‘Illegal dumping at Glendalough scenic areas of to be investigated’. Wicklow People report that PURE are ‘…following two definite lines of inquires’ in relation to the illegal dumping incidents in the Sally Gap. ‘Both sites were also based near busy tourist routes and would have been visible to tourists to the area... Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 14-May-2008

  ‘Anger as more illegal dumps uncovered’. The Wicklow Times headline captures the feelings on news of a recent dumping at a scenic location in county Wicklow. The people responsible for the illegal dumping ‘…had to drive their truck into a barrier and smash it down before driving into the woodlands to... Read more >>

• Irish Times 8-May-2008

  ‘Illegal dumps found near Sally Gap in Wicklow’. Tim O’ Brien writes about two incidents of illegal dumping located in the scenic area of the Sally Gap. The article states that ‘…about five tonnes of general domestic waste including electrical equipment and household rubble was discovered…’ After we (PURE), organised the collection... Read more >>

• Newstalk Radio 22nd April 2008

  Declan Carty ‘Late Night Live’ programme discusses illegal dumping with PURE Project Manager, Ian Davis. The programme highlighted; what actions can be taken to stop illegal dumping, are the fines and prosecutions associated with the crime strong enough, upland areas affected by illegal dumping, the PURE 1850 365 121 lo-call-phone-number and the amount... Read more >>

• Irish Independent 21st April 2008

  ‘Extension for hotline as rogue dumpers caught red-handed’. The Irish Independent reports on the extension of the lo-call-phone-line, *1850 365 121*, confirming that the EPA will be extending the number for another year. The PURE project ‘which works to halt illegal dumping in the Wicklow and Dublin upland regions, said the... Read more >>

• Wicklow News 1st April 2008

  ‘Disgraceful Holiday Dumping’ The Wicklow News reports that ‘more than 15 tonnes of construction and household waste has been removed from an illegal dump site in West Wicklow.’ The dumping sites were located between Aghavannagh and Rathdangan with local residents assisting the PURE project in identifying locations affected by fly-tippers. The article also comments... Read more >>

• Press Release Febuary 2008: Update on PURE Project

  2007 was a very busy year for PURE (Protecting Uplands & Rural Environments), with approximately 400 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish removed from the landscape. The project, which was only launched in September 2006, is a regional initiative incorporating four local authorities including; Wicklow County Council, South Dublin County Council, Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown County Council... Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 27th February 2008

  'PURE Project Launches New Website' The Wicklow Times report on the launch of the PURE website and education pack, while providing readers with a descriptive account on the projects activities during 2007. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 26th February 2008

  'Dumping Still a Major Problem' Wicklow People provide an update on the PURE projects activities for 2007 commenting that ‘last years 700 collections included over 500 illegally disposed electrical times ranging from fridges, washing machines to cookers taken off the Wicklow uplands’. The article also reports on the recently launched PURE education pack... Read more >>

• Wicklow News 26th February 2008

  'Caught in the Act' Wicklow paper reports that ‘CCTV footage from secret locations across Wicklow is being used to identify and publicly shame illegal dumpers in a bid to halt the practise.’ The article further describes how the footage will be ‘…handed over to the media following successful prosecutions in a bid to... Read more >>

• East Coast Radio 21st February 2008

  Ian Davis, PURE Project Manager, provides listeners’ of East Coast Radio with an update on the project and urges the public to contact the lo-call-phone-number – 1850 365 121 – and report dumping and dumpers. Read more >>

• Tallaght Voice 19th February 2008

  'PURE Site Encourages Residents to Clean-up' The Tallaght Voice reports on the launch of pure website, www.pureproject.ie[http://www.pureproject.ie/] and education pack commenting that ‘Tallaght residents can now to online and email pictures they have taken of illegal dumping in their area to a local environmental group.’ Read more >>

• Wicklow News 5th February 2008

  'Dumpers Targer Beauty Spot' Wicklow News reports on ’16 tonnes of waste being removed from one of the most scenic tourist areas of the county this week. The Meetings of the Waters has been targeted by rouge dumpers and householders and a huge amount of rubbish has marred the countryside’. The... Read more >>

• National Newspapers Report on PURE Covert CCTV: January/February 2008

  *Irish Times 31st January 2008 * ‘Hidden Cameras Help Fight Illegal Dumping' Irish Times article on the installation of CCTV cameras at ‘beauty spots in rural areas of Wicklow and South Dublin in a bid to counter illegal dumping of household waste’. *The Sun 1st February 2008 * ‘CCTV to Catch out Dumpers’ Article warns dumpers... Read more >>

• Wicklow People 30th January 2008

  'Householders Could Face Litter Summons' Householders are warned of bogus waste collectors operating in the county of Wicklow. Residents should check that all waste collectors have a valid Waste Permit. Read more >>

• Wicklow News 29thJanuary 2008

  'Clean-up Clears 10 Tonnes of Illegally Dumped Waste Wicklow News reports on the massive clean-up operation at Kilcara Arklow and the removal of significant amounts of waste. Read more >>

• Eco-eye 23rdJanuary 2008

  PURE appear on RTE programme ‘Eco-eye’. Duncan Stewart and Ian Davis of PURE discuss the recent introduction of ‘End of Live Vehicles’ directive, and how it will reduce the number of cars being disposed of the upland areas. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 2nd January 2008

  'Education Pack on the Wicklow Uplands Launched' Wicklow People reports on the launch of PURE Primary Schools Teachers’ Pack. Read more >>

• Press Release December 2008: PURE Primary Schools Teachers’ Pack

  A new education pack for teachers in primary schools on the theme of dumping in the upland was launched on Thursday the 20th of December. The education pack has been designed by the PURE project. The pack provides resources for teachers to explore the theme of dumping and fly tipping in our uplands. ... Read more >>

• Wicklow News 27th November 2007

  ‘PURE Genius Lifts Tonnes of Rubbish’. New Wicklow regional paper provides an update on the PURE project. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 21st November 2007

  John Paul Hurley of Brittas Bay National School wins the PURE anti-dumping poster competition. The school was presented with a € 1,000 cheque. Read more >>

• Wicklow Times 12-September-2007

  'PURE Warns Illegal Dumpers There is no Where to Hide' Headline warns illegal dumpers that CCTV equipment has been deployed to detect dumpers in uplands. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 30th August 2007

  'Hundered of Tonnes of Waste Removed From the Mountains' An ‘In Focus’ Article in the Wicklow People highlights the PURE project achievements as it nears its first anniversary. Read more >>

• Tallaght News 27-August-2007

  'Disgust at the Amount and Frequency of Illegal Dumping' Tallaght News article describes how people are affected by dumping in the South Dublin area. Over the years many communities and individuals who live in the Dublin Mountains have been disgusted at the amount and frequency of illegal dumping/fly-tipping activity that has occurred and continues to... Read more >>

• PURE Press Release August 2007

  The PURE (Protecting Uplands & Rural Environments) truck is now a regular sight in the Wicklow Mountains as it traverses the countryside responding to incidents of fly-tipping/illegal dumping. The environmental project was officially launched in September 2006 to combat the increase of small scale illegal dumping/fly-tipping in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands and since its establishment... Read more >>

• Kildare Post 2nd May 2007

  'War on Dumping' Headline warns ‘reckless illegal dumpers in west Wicklow’ that environmental project (PURE) will use CCTV equipment to identify offenders. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 16th April 2007

  'Disgust at Dumping of Waste at Scenic Spot' The dumping of over 20 tonnes of illegal waste, including animal carcasses, in the Hollywood area of west Wicklow is condemned. Read more >>

• Irish Times 16th April 2007

  'The Blight of Environmental Vandalism' An article on environmental damage focuses on the PURE Project, highlighting the recent illegal dumping/fly-tipping in West Wicklow area describing it as an, ‘example of some of the worst and most irresponsible fly-tipping.’ Read more >>

• Eco-eye 28th February 2007

  PURE Project features on popular R.T.E. environmental programme, ‘Eco Eye’. Environmentalist Duncan Stewart and Ian Davis of PURE discuss the effects and frequency of illegal dumping/fly-tipping in the upland region, and what the PURE project aims to achieve. Read more >>

• Wicklow People 18th January 2007

  'Great Progress in Such a Short Space of Time' PURE project features in the ‘News Special’ section of the Wicklow People commenting that the ‘…magnitude of their job is plain to see when you one considers that a huge 16 tonnes of illegal wastes waste recovered from the uplands in just 28 days…hopefully once... Read more >>

• Wicklow Uplands Council Newsletter Autumn 2006

  Over the years many of the organisations involved with Wicklow Uplands Council have voiced their disgust at illegal dumping and fly-tipping. Walkers, cyclists, hikers, mountaineers, gun clubs, anglers, have all encountered incidents where the famous aesthetic splendour or the Wicklow countryside has been tarnished by mindless, indiscriminate dumping, which is caused by a minority... Read more >>

• Irish Mountain Log Winter Issue 2006

  'Protecting the Uplands from Littering' The general public are more aware today than ever before of the necessity to protect our natural environment. No visitor to the Wicklow uplands region will argue of its beauty, no visitor departs without the realisation that its future sustainability is paramount. Unfortunately, in recent years many... Read more >>

• 1st September 2006 – Large amount of media attention for launch of PURE Project

  *RTE Radio Morning Ireland – 1st September 2006* PURE Project Manager (Ian Davis) speaks to Paul Cunningham from RTE’s Morning Ireland programme and discusses the launch of the PURE project. *RTE 9 News – 1st September 2006* RTE 9 News interviews Mr Dick Roche TD Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the... Read more >>

• 1st September 2006 Press Release; launch of PURE project

  Today Mr Dick Roche TD Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government launched the start-up of a new environmental partnership initiative at Avondale House in Co. Wicklow to combat the escalating problem of fly-tipping and small scale illegal dumping. PURE (Protecting Uplands & Rural Environments), is a new regional initiative which incorporates... Read more >>