But coffee cup litter still a big problem blighting many of Ireland's waterways

COASTAL areas are cleaner than ever but coffee cups still blight four in 10 sites, a new survey reveals.

- BY NICOLA DONNELLY

Despite the hot summer weather bringing higher visitor numbers, the Irish Business Against Litter shows the majority of beaches attained “clean” status.

“This is by far the most favourable result we have seen in eight years of coastal surveys,” says Conor Horgan of IBAL.

“The Trojan and ever-expanding work of clean coasts groups and other volunteers is instrumental in this, as is the investment by councils in facilities around our beaches.

“Legislative measures, such as the tethering of caps to plastic bottles and the Deposit Return Scheme, are contributing factors. It appears also that local authorities have upped their game in responding to busy periods at our beaches.”