Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry was the most recent stop for the Think Before You Flush campaign, this time as part of the Clean Coasts Roadshow series. An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme attended the BEAG (Ballinskelligs Environmental Action Group) Annual “Green Day” on Sunday, March 23rd to talk all things Clean Coasts, Think Before You Flush, sewage related litter and coastal erosion.
The event held in the village hall was filled with music, artisan food, homemade crafts and many wonderful speakers, presenting topics ranging from talks about fermented food to a relaxing sound bath.
The Clean Coasts presentation discussed the issues surrounding pouring fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) from cooking down the kitchen sink. Instead of flowing freely these FOGs cool and harden as they travel along the wastewater network. When they combine with other sewage related litter such as wet wipes, hair, and dental floss, huge fatbergs can form. Uisce Eireann clears hundreds of blockages, including fatbergs from the wastewater network every week. The fatberg model at the stand was a big hit among those who attended!
Uisce Éireann’s Head of Wastewater Operations, Nuala Woods, commended the efforts of Ballinskellings Environmental Action Group in organising its annual Green Day, adding: “We know from our research that attitudes and flushing behaviours are changing for the better but there is still work to do. We are asking people to always Think Before You Flush and take a simple action such as putting a bin in the bathroom. Working with groups such as Balliskellings Environment Action Group is a powerful way to spread this message.”
Elaine Doyle, Clean Coasts Development Officer said, “The Ballinskelligs Environmental Action Group have such a strong passion for their locality and the environment at large. This wonderful event brought the community together and it was wonderful to be there to talk about Clean Coasts and the Think Before You Flush campaign. “
The Think Before You Flush Clean Coasts presentation was also part of the Clean Coasts Roadshow series happening around the country. The Roadshow events aim to bring together people who have an interest in protecting their local beaches, seas, marine life and environment.”