Nearly all of Ireland's 3rd level colleges are now litter-free and a model for other public places to follow, according to a litter survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). Launching its 2012 litter league at Trinity College Dublin, IBAL said those in charge of keeping clean public amenities like hospitals, train stations and shopping centres should look to the performance of 3rd level campuses. 17 of 21 colleges surveyed were deemed litter-free, with only DIT Kevin Street branded as heavily littered.

"This result is another big leap in the fight against litter, as previous surveys showed several campuses to be neglected and rundown," said IBAL Chairman Dr Tom Cavanagh. "The achievement is all the greater given that the populations of these colleges are bigger than most towns, and they are young populations, which are more likely to litter. It augers well for the future that our budding leaders are operating in a well-presented environment, which they will hopefully replicate as opinion formers and trendsetters in their later professional lives."

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The study of 3rd level institutions, carried out by An Taisce and accounting for up to 300,000 students and staff, revealed that only 3 colleges assessed fell short of a litter free ranking. These were Carlow College and Limerick College of Further Education, both littered, and 'heavily littered' DIT Kevin Street, where "the front of the campus was littered and this was continued throughout,"according to the inspectors.

As part of the 2012 Anti-Litter League, 42 towns and cities will be assessed for litter over the course of the year. Last year over 70% of participating areas were judged to be Clean to European Norms, with Trim the cleanest town in the country. Dublin City, however, remained 'littered', and the North Inner City was deemed a litter blackspot.

(CD)