WATERFORD city and county authorities have been offered a £1 million incentive to demonstrate within a year that they control the cleanest, tidiest environment of any administrative area in the country.
A grouping of major business and commercial interests under the umbrella name, Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL), yesterday undertook to supply a £1 million ready-to-let advance factory to the county if it can pass a litter-free scrutiny.
The county council and corporation, accepting the challenge, have jointly initiated a multi-pronged litter action campaign. To attain the prize it must pass assessment by An Taisce, in accordance with strict measurement criteria.
The founding chairman of IBAL, Mr Tom Cunningham, said their aim was to send a message to the country as a whole, through this pilot project, "that we must eliminate litter for our future economic prosperity".
The Fermoy, Co Cork, businessman said IBAL, founded 18 months ago, has consistently pointed out that the growing litter problem was costing the country jobs and reducing its potential revenue. International experience had clearly shown a correlation between a country's long-term economic prosperity and whether it was perceived as a clean country by those visiting it, and those thinking of investing in it.
IBAL has conducted market research surveys of attitudes among Irish people and visitors. The Irish generally accepted that the litter problem was growing worse, while the visitors agreed it was worse than they had expected.
IBAL has had detailed consultations with Government representatives in advance of the completion of the 1997 Litter Pollution Act, due to come into effect shortly. Mr Cavanagh said the organisation was still gravely concerned that the Act did not go far enough towards tackling the problem.
Waterford was chosen for this project, he said, because it had already put impressive structures in place at local authority level to tackle litter. Voluntary efforts have backed up the official schemes - a "Clean Up The Comeraghs" weekend recently removed some 50 tons of rubbish and litter from the scenic mountain area.
The county council spends about £250,000 annually on cleaning streets and the countryside, and city spending is even higher. Waterford Corporation has set up 12 recycling collection depots around the city, and its litter wardens participate in an educational programme with schools.
The IDA has agreed to work with the project promoters to attract a suitable industry to the factory building promised if Waterford attains the litter-free status. The location has yet to be decided.
Meanwhile, the local authorities will join business, farming bodies and community groups to pursue their goal. Take-away premises, bus stops, bank machine sites and major public events will be targeted, and strict bye-laws will be introduced.
The county authorities will expand their litter warden staff and appoint a special liaison officer to oversee the campaign.
IBAL includes a range of commercial bodies, including Waterford Foods, the Irish Hotels Federation, and major banks, oil companies, building societies, brewers and distillers.